Obituary of John D Christofferson

John D. Christofferson passed peacefully at his home in Oroville on September 22, 2024.  He was born in Wallace, Idaho on November 12, 1945.  John’s family moved to Oroville when he was in junior high school.  He graduated from Oroville High School in 1964 and completed two years of study at Chico State before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966.  He graduated from Officers Candidate School in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma in 1967.

John met his wife, Marlene in Oroville.  They were married in Kitzingen, Germany when John was serving as a U.S. Army Artillery Officer.  They were blessed with a daughter and son as well as four grandchildren and enjoyed 56 years of marriage.

John was a Professional Land Surveyor and partner in GDA - an engineering and land survey company.  He was well respected for his survey expertise and known in the community as “Surveyor John.”

John loved learning.  His interests included woodworking, machinist projects, mechanics, hunting, fishing and camping.  For over forty years he worked as a Reserve Deputy with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.  He played an active part with the Butte County Search and Rescue Unit as well as having been an active Reserve Fish and Game Warden.  Throughout his survey career, John held membership in the California Land Surveyors’ Association.  Most recently he was a member of the Butte County Resource Conservation District.  He held membership with Oroville Aerie FOE 196.

John is survived by his wife, Marlene, his daughter, Elke Merck and her husband Jason Merck; his son, Chris Christofferson and his wife Alison Maki; his granddaughters Emilia Merck and Goldie Christofferson, and his grandson Joseph Merck.  He was predeceased by his parents, Chris and Murl Christofferson; his sister, Doris Rambo and grandson, Ethan Merck.

A Memorial Service will be held in the near future.  Please refer to Ramsey Funeral Home for details regarding the service. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877