John Martin Varnum

John Martin Varnum, age 95, of Perry, passed away at home on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Perry Chapel, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date at St. James Cemetery in Colo, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Meals on Wheels program in Perry. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Born July 23, 1930 in a farmhouse NE of Marshalltown, IA (not a hospital back then!). His parents farmed 240 acres North of Zearing where he grew up as a Junior (John Junior) which he thought was funny since he grew to 6’2”. Played basketball in high school and graduated at 16 years of age from Zearing High in 1947. Then, he rented 40 acres and farmed with his father’s farm machinery.

Enlisted in the Air Force at 21 years of age and served as an Air Craft Mechanic in Maine and Louisiana on the P51. Left the Air Force in 1952 but his great love of country was instilled in him throughout his life. After his dad’s stroke in Spring of 1953, he took over the family farm until he and his mom sold out in Dec. 1956.

Moved to California where he worked for Ma Bell Telephone Co. in Hollywood. Then, he drove to Alaska on unpaved roads because his brother, Harvey, was stationed up there. In Alaska, he worked from Seward to Fairbanks as a telephone lineman. In Fairbanks, Alaska, they installed the first railroad crossing signals. He especially loved his time working in Alaska as a young man.

While visiting back home in Zearing, IA in Dec. 1957, over a flip of a coin toss he and his friend, Bud Davis, bought an oil station & café on Hwy 65 in Zearing. (Up until his death, John was known for making the best eggs and hashbrowns.) They ran this until June, when he went to work highway construction building the Interstates in Minnesota, Iowa, & Illinois running heavy equipment.

In the winters, he went back to California where his sister Martha was living. In 1960, he met his future wife Roberta Brandt at Marcon Ballroom in Iowa Falls (20 miles N of Zearing). On Jan. 20, 1962, they were married in Marshalltown on a below zero -20F winter day. John started working at Marshalltown D.O.T. and was promoted to Perry D.O.T. Foreman in 1974 when he moved his family to Perry, Iowa. Retired in 1996. Proud to have visited all 50 states.

He was a fervent follower of God’s Gospel his entire life and loved going to Catholic Church on Sundays up until he broke his hip in May 2024. He was always up for breakfast any time of day, enjoyed his coffee black with a teaspoon he could constantly swirl around in the cup, and loved cherry donuts. He’d proudly pat his own stomach, wink and state, “It’s all paid for.” His other constant saying if silence was in the car was “Penny for your thoughts?” Always an engager in conversation with anyone who was near which made him endearing to all.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Roberta. His son David (Kelly) Varnum of Cedar Rapids, IA. His daughter, Cathy (Herve`) Gentile of Corpus Christi, TX, granddaughter Amanda (Bronson) Taylor of Palo, IA, deceased grandson Alec Varnum, grandson, Enzo Gentile of Corpus Christi, TX., great grandsons, Jaxson and Brixson Taylor. Several extended nieces and nephews from his brothers and sisters.

Every letter he ever typed was in all CAPS and signed:

As Ever,

John