Obituary of John Coombs Jeffers

John Coombs Jeffers, 78, a lifelong resident of Peabody, died on Friday, May 1, 2009, in hospice at the Kaplan House, following a lengthy illness. Mr. Jeffers was born in Salem, on November 12, 1930, the only child of the late Harold S. and Helen (Coombs) Jeffers. He attended Peabody High School and Moses Brown School in Providence, RI, graduating with the Class of 1949. He continued his education at Wentworth Institute in Boston, receiving a certificate in architectural construction. While in school he excelled at football and track and was a member of the drum corps. In 1951, John enlisted into the United States Navy Reserve and served on submarines and destroyer escorts as a hospital corpsman until receiving his honorable discharge in 1962. John was the third generation to join the family lumber business, John D. Jeffers & Sons, in Salem. He took ownership of the business following his father’s death. John renamed the company Jeffers Lumber after his sons, the fourth generation, joined him. John retired from the family business in 1996. John was well known on the North Shore for his participation in numerous business, community and charitable organizations. He was on the board of trustees for the Warren Five Cent Savings Bank and held several positions, including President, with the Peabody Rotary Club. He served as board member, board President and Trustee for many years with the Sutton Home for Aged Women. He was a Trustee and President of the Charles B. Haven Home for Aged Men, past President for the Haven from Hunger, and was Vice President of the Peabody Council on Aging. He was a founder of the Boy Scout Troop 88 in Peabody and, a past leader of the Pilgrim Fellowship youth group at South Congregational Church. John was a recipient of the 2001 Pride in Peabody Award and of the Peabody Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1965. As an organizer of a donation of defibrillators to local fire departments and a 1000-pint donor member of the Red Cross he played a part in saving many lives. From his naval experiences, he designed a viewing glass that he donated to local fire departments for underwater search of drowning victims in ponds and lakes. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a lifetime member of the Jordan Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. John is survived by his children and their spouses, Douglas S. and Mitzi Jeffers of Cambridge, H. Scott and Deborah Jeffers of Salem; John C. and Kristi Jeffers of Peabody, with whom he resided, 7 grandchildren, Tristan Jeffers of Providence, RI, Damon and Devin Jeffers of Salem, Elsbeth and Anna Jeffers of Cambridge, Hunter and Helen Jeffers of Peabody. His former wife Elizabeth (Hawkes) Jeffers predeceased him. His memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The members of the Jordan Lodge A.F. & A.M. will conduct a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. Burial of his ashes will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. His family requested that memorial contributions be made to Haven from Hunger, 71 Wallis St., Peabody, MA 01960. www.havenfromhunger.org.