John Arasim Jr

John Arasim, Jr, 91, passed away, surrounded by his family, at the Retreat Gardens Assisted Living in Rio Rancho, NM on May 30, 2016. John was a resident of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque for 54 years as well as a part-time resident of Durango, CO.
John was born May 28, 1925, to John Arasim, Sr. (a Polish immigrant) and the former Clara Maryanski in Jackson, Michigan. He was the eldest of five children having two brothers and two sisters. John graduated from Michigan Center High School and continued his education at the University of Michigan School of Engineering. While at the U of M, he married his high school sweetheart, Lell Charlton.
John began his career at Sparton Corporation in Jackson, MI. It wasn't long before John became a chief engineer and worked on new projects that came to Sparton from the military. John not only became an innovative engineer, but also a competent manager. In 1962, at the age of 37, he was promoted to President of Sparton's new subsidiary, Sparton Southwest, in Albuquerque, NM. John packed up his wife, five kids, and elderly mother-in-law and moved from Michigan to New Mexico.
In the late 1970's, John decided to leave Sparton. A long-time member of the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry (NMACI), John became the Executive Director in the late 70's and early 80's. It wasn't long before an Albuquerque company called Lectrosonics attracted his attention. Lectrosonics was making public address (PA) systems and early versions of wireless microphone audio systems. John improved these small PA's to become the standard for marching bands, auctioneers, and street singers. The applications for wireless microphone systems continued to evolve to include news gathering, music, reality TV, NFL films, Las Vegas shows, the movie industry and much more.
John felt that his employees were Lectrosonics most important asset and he took great pride in Lectrosonics ability to manufacture all of its products in the USA. Under John's guidance and leadership, Lectrosonics became and continues to be a multi-million dollar company and one of the leaders in the international wireless communication industry.
John retired at age 84, but continued to be involved with the company for a few more years. John, a true pioneer engineer, will be remembered for his intelligence, innovations, generosity, management style, and work ethic. To his family he leaves his mantra "THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH".
John was preceded in death by his parents; son, William; brothers, Leo and Raymond; and brother-in-law, Thad Obuchowski all of Jackson, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Lell; sisters, Theresa O'Dell (Max) and Dorothy Obuchowski of Jackson, Michigan; daughters, Theresa Craig (Carl) of Durango, Colorado, Barbara Fowler (Malcolm) of Espanola, New Mexico, Christine Butler (Lee) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and son, Charles Arasim of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Tracy and Michael Fowler, Brooks Butler (Kendra) and Sarah Butler Myers (Brady). His nine great-grandchildren, Adison, Kale, and Micah Fowler, Mason and Easton John Myers (due in August), and Ella May, Hallie Jo, Chase, and Landrie Butler. They will certainly miss their "Papa John".
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Retreat Gardens and Hospice de la Luz for their care and kindness.
A Memorial Service for John will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Westside, 9300 Golf Course Road, NW, Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org).