October 16, 2019 – Kewaskum, WI –John Raymond Jalas, 48, of Santa Monica, CA died of cancer on Saturday, October 5, 2019, surrounded by his family.
John was born on February 21, 1971, in Milwaukee, the son of Eleanor (Breuer) Jalas and the late Thomas Jalas. On September 17, 1994, he was united in marriage to Shirley Navarrette in Texas.
John graduated from Kewaskum High School in 1989 and went on to get his Bachelor’s degree from UT Tyler, TX.
He received a full scholarship/grant and headed to the University of Minnesota where he graduated with his MD/PhD in 2005. He did 5 years of residency at UCSF in San Francisco and landed his dream job as a pathologist at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, CA. in 2010.
He worked his way to partner of the Pathology Department. He oversaw the chemistry and hematology labs; along with doing research at the John Wayne Cancer Center.
He spoke at many conferences, and handled his responsibilities at a level very few pathologists can.
During his career he was presented with several awards including the Mission Spirit (a prestigious award that hadn’t been given to any other doctor in the past 10 years) and Values in Action. The pathology department (his work family) will personally be dedicating a research library in his name at the hospital.
Those John leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 25 years, Shirley; his mother, Eleanor; mother and father-in-law, Carlos and Ruth Gutierrez; four siblings, Susan (and the late Marvin) Perkins and Karen (Jeff) Paulus both of Kewaskum, Sharon (Todd) Laurent of Richfield, Kathryn (Christopher) Ruch of Kewaskum; two sister-in-law’s, Kendra (David) Shelton and Sharon (John) Ross; twelve nieces and nephews, Benjamin and Rachel Johnson, Jeffrey Paulus and Thomas (Danielle) Paulus, Kali (Mark) Pentler and Candace Greupink, Tyler and Leea (Steven) Cochenet, Noah and Gianna Ross, Soraya and Charlize Shelton; one great niece, six great-nephews, very special friend Erni; his work family; other relatives and friends.
John loved life, including traveling, volleyball, golfing, watching tennis and the Packers and Brewers. John’s love of science began as a child when he raised tropical fish.
John had a unique ability to make everyone he encountered feel special. This man had the most beautiful soul. John was smart, insanely smart…his memory was phenomenal to watch in action. He was always showing us what happiness is with his constant and contagious smile. He was the sweetest guy with the biggest heart. He always said, “we are all in this together.” We all love you so much and can’t wait to see you again soon.
A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, CA for the wonderful care provided to John.
The Celebration of Life open house for John will be held on Saturday, November 2, at Hon-E-Kor, 1141 Riverview Drive, in Kewaskum, WI 53040, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his memory would make him smile.
