Missing his 100th birthday by only 8 days, Morgan Hill resident John H. Khan reluctantly settled into eternal rest Saturday morning, October 4, 2008, after suffering a sudden heart attack.
John was the first born child of Dr. Ameer and Mae Khan of Teheran, Iran. He grew up in New York City and attended schools there, and in Staton Island. He lived in Morgan Hill about 63 years. Thirty years ago he retired from the Physics department at Stanford University where he worked on the Linear Accelerator. He was stationed at Moffett Field the last two years of WWII and following that was employed by Lawrence Livermore Laboratories. He was also an accomplished Musician.
John always felt he had lived during the most exciting times of the 20th century. As a boy he remembered horse-drawn vehicles jostling in the New York City streets with those new fangled horseless carriages. His first car was a 1920 Model T Ford.
He lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, civil rights uprisings, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, and saw two great-grandsons go off to Iraq. He was amazed at the emerging computer age, political scuffles, and especially at the staggering costs of housing and most things, and was somewhat apprehensive about the future.
John was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Mary Raney Khan, who passed on 11/26/06, and by one grandson. He was also preceded in death by his brothers William Khan and Charles “Pat” Khan, and sisters Eleanor Oliver, and Rita Merschersky.
Surviving are his five children Carol (David) Agaliotis of Morgan Hill,CA, Charles (Ellen) Khan, Eleanor (Ken) Keuning of Mariposa, CA, Barbara (Bill) Thomas of Fremont, CA and Richard (former wife Janna Anderson) Khan of Houston, TX. He also leaves 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great- grandchildren, most of whom will remember the patriarch of the family. John also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
John was looking forward to his 100th birthday celebration to be held Saturday October 11th, and many invitations had already been sent out.
The family has decided to go ahead with the plans but instead of a birthday barbeque, it will be a memorial celebrating his long life. It will be at the home of granddaughter Pamela Meador of 1473 Red Tail Place, Morgan Hill, starting at 12 noon October 11th. Call 408-778-0050 or 408-779-4265 for more information.
A viewing will be held at Johnson Funeral Home, Morgan Hill, on Friday evening, October 10th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. All are invited.
Peace to his memory.
