Obituary of John Beckman Ostlund

John Beckman Ostlund was born in Cleveland Ohio on January 16, 1957. He was adopted just prior to his 4th birthday and raised in Hialeah, Fl, by his parents Raymond (Ray) and Betty Ostlund.

Despite his rough beginnings John learned to overcome his obstacles through education. After graduation from Hialeah High School in 1975 he enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) where he spent 8 years as an enlisted airman and 12 years as an officer.  John married his high school sweetheart in July 1976.  They had 3 sons John Jr, Michael, and Greg and also had 9 grandchildren.

While enlisted in the Air Force he earned his associates degree and was accepted into the Airman Education Commissioning Program where he went to school full time at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, FL.  There he earned his Electrical Engineering Degree and offered a scholarship through UCF to continue his education earning his Master’s Degree. John pulled “double duty” as an engineering graduate student and as the liaison officer for the U.S. Air Forces' Air Force Institute of Technology.  

John then rejoined active duty in the Air Force as an officer and began his career leading teams of up to 20 military and civilian engineers and technicians. During this assignment he planned, conducted, and reported the operational effectiveness of long range radar systems world wide.  He also designed and implemented computer hardware and software testing and analyzing data.  John planned and coordinated radar communications. He also ran computer systems tests and evaluations with prospective users with the Department of Defense and governmental and civilian agencies. 

John then spent his last 4 years of his military service teaching math at the United States Air Force Academy.  John retired after 20 years of service from 1975 to 1995. He continued his love for teaching after leaving the military at local schools and colleges in the Colorado Springs, CO area. 

Throughout John’s life he loved most sports to include tennis, racquetball, football, coaching little league teams, and water skiing. He challenged himself to continue to learn new things everyday.  Once he learned new things he wanted to show others and would often teach them what he learned. 

John also spent 11 years as an Electrical Engineer at National Oilwell Varco. While there he earned the reputation as being the go to person for the department.  He designed and implemented pressure control valves used in oil refining. 

John will be missed for his love of life, love of family , love of learning, and his love of teaching others.  He was always characterized as calm, patient, non-judgemental, and giving.  He spent his retirement listening and speaking to others, taking interest in what his three sons were interested in, and teaching whenever he could. 

John succumbed to his 2 ½  year battle with prostate cancer.  John always stayed optimistic to his prognosis till the end. 

John was a loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, cousin, and friend to everyone.  He always had time to talk and help anyone who needed it. His favorite saying was always “Work Smarter, Not Harder”.

He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Betty Ostlund. He is survived by his wife Linda of 46 years, son John Jr (Wife-Rachel), son Michael, and son Gregory (Kathryn).  His 9 grandchildren: Kalina (21), Kemora (15), Trey (14), Kayden (13), John Cooper (5), Theodore (5), Tucker (4), Trevor (3), and Gregory Jr (1 month), one great grandson Reece (4 months) and brother Howard (Ann).

A funeral service will be held at Clayton Funeral Home in Pearland, TX viewing for family is from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Viewing for the public is from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Service will be at 3:00pm with the pastor.   

John will then be taken to Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fl.  We will meet at the Olive Baptist Church on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 10:00am and be escorted onto the base for a brief 30min service starting at 11:00am.

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation in lieu of flowers.