John Eugene Bilbrey

Lt. Col. John E. Bilbrey, USAF

John Eugene Bilbrey, born on October 17, 1944, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on June 18, 2024 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA.

Raised in Fresno, CA, John graduated from McLane High School then California State University, Fresno, with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish before enlisting in the US Air Force in 1967, a decision that led to an esteemed 22-year-long career in the USAF Office of Special Investigations.

Throughout his employment with the OSI, John enjoyed many achievements in his professional and personal life. Special Agent of the AFOSI since 1970, John completed a total of three tours in South Korea, where he met his destiny in the beautiful Yu Ch'un Hui. Following their marriage in 1975 they returned stateside, first to Denver, CO, where their daughter Lynn was born in 1978 and John earned a Master's Degree. A year later, John was assigned to pursue Korean language studies at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA before returning with his family for a final Korean tour. His natural talent for languages resulted in achieving the highest scores on record on his final examinations. Upon returning in 1980 to Tacoma, WA, their son David was born. A tour in southern California in the mid-80s followed, during what John would always refer to as "my decade," which provided for countless family gatherings and fun memories while living close to his mother Madalyn, sister Jackie and brother-in-law Melvin, and their children. A last military transfer back up to Washington state in 1987 would become where John, despite his aversion to the colder weather, would call home. While ensuring regular vacations to visit both sides of the family in California and Hawaii took place over the years, John and Susan raised their kids in Puyallup. Their double graduation from the University of Washington in 2002 was celebrated as another proud parent day that John would often call the day he got an instant raise. Seeing his children succeed in school and in life always brought John great happiness, and his family will always be grateful to him and his career for the wonderful life that he was able to provide for them.

Recognized with numerous commendations, appreciations and medals for his efficient leadership in pursuing consistent standards towards upholding the protection of his country, John progressed in rank to Lieutenant Colonel before retiring from the military on August 1, 1989. In particular, John's Detachment in Los Angeles was awarded Outstanding Large Detachment of the year in 1986, an honor for which Susan accompanied John to the nation's capitol to receive. While his office walls display some of these honors, it is without doubt that all who worked with him and for him knew that besides his love for his family, his military career brought him the most pride and joy.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, John went on to work for the State of Washington in Olympia as a tort claims investigator until his eventual retirement in 2006.

John was an avid golfer since his college days, and looked forward to his weekly rounds on the McChord AFB course with the "Gaggle," as he affectionately dubbed them, for many years. He enjoyed traveling on several occasions to play on some of Hawaii's best military greens, combined with visiting his in-laws there. When retirement provided another opportunity to serve others, John became a volunteer for the American Red Cross at the McChord base pharmacy for several years, receiving further recognition for his dedication, friendliness, and flawless memory. A lover of nicknames, sarcasm and historical trivia; a meticulous record keeper, smooth jazz listener, Seattle sports watcher and movie quoter - John will be remembered in countless ways by his family and friends from the best decades of his life.

John is survived by his loving wife Susan Ch'un Hui, his adoring children Lynn (Timo) and David, daughter-in-law Emily and granddaughter Poppy Bilbrey. In California, his sister Jacqueline Cartwright, niece Lisa and nephew Joseph. In Hawaii, his sisters-in-law Yu Chun Cha and Yu Kyong Nan and nephews Chae Min and William, as well as William and Ae Cha Nakamura, Ha Myong Cha and Ha Bong Nam.

John is preceded in the hereafter by his parents, Leon and Madalyn Bilbrey, of Oklahoma and California. It is comforting knowing they are together again.

A private memorial service with military honors will be held on July 22, 2024, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John's name to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of America or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, as they were both organizations to which John regularly and faithfully supported.

Arrangements by Powers Funeral Home of Puyallup, WA.