John Franklin Metcalf died March 3, 2009, at his home in Seattle at the age of 87. He was born December 3, 1921, in Eureka, Mont. to Grace (Remore) Metcalf and Roy (Dick) Metcalf.

He grew up in Kalispell, Mont. and went on to earn a degree from the University of Montana, and a Master’s from McGill University in Montreal. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed on a minesweeper in the South Pacific and was present in Tokyo Harbor at the signing of the Armistice.

He spent most of his career as a world history and French teacher in Federal Way, at three different high schools. After retiring from the Federal Way school district in 1988, he increased his various volunteer activities and was very active in community and charity activities, especially while in Federal Way.

He was twice president of the Federal Way Education Association and a board member of the Federal Way Youth Services Bureau. Metcalf received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce in 1986. He was always active in politics, leading him in 1987 to run for 30th District State Representative, a race he narrowly lost. He was presented the St. Francis Humanitarian of the Year award in 1997 for his work on the hospital certification effort.

He was a member of the NAACP, the ACLU, teachers’ unions and the Democratic Party.

His parents and sister, Marian Blackmore, preceded Metcalf in death. He is survived by his sister, Camilla Bauska of Kalispell; nieces Leslie Millspaugh of Shoreline and JoAnn Wold of Wilsonville, Ore.; nephews Roy Bauska of Lynnwood, and Jack and Greg Bauska of Kalispell, MT.; grand-nephew John Bauska; great-grand nephews Johnathan and Joshua. He is also survived by Sang Le, a student he brought over from Laos in 1967, who now lives in Sacramento.

At his request, there will be no memorial service. Memorials may go to Federal Way Community Caregiving Network, PO Box 4717, Federal Way, WA 98063. You may sign John’s online guest book at www.Legacy.com.