John Jurkens

John Jurkens, the founder of Octopus Car Washes died Monday, January 7, 2013 at the age of 90. Born in Sterling, IL February l, 1922 he was the third of four sons born to Ida Grove Jurkens and Albert Jurkens. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Robert. John volunteered in the Army Air Corps two weeks after Pearl Harbor and served four years in WWII as a recruit, an Army Air Corps Cadet then later as a pilot of B-24s and B-17s. He flew 36 ½ missions over Germany in the 490th Bomb Group based in England receiving the Air Metal with two clusters, the Distinguished Flying Metal with one cluster and the Purple Heart. He was separated from the service in 1945 at the end of WWII, married Alice Yarde in 1946 and pursued a career in advertising art. He attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, IL and the Whitney School of art in New Haven Ct. In 1950, employed as an artist with the S. Frederick Anderson Art Studios in the Chicago area, his Air Force Reserve Group at O'Hare was activated for the Korean War and Captain Jurkens served another two years. A pioneer in the automatic, conveyor type car wash business, his career spanned 60 years during which he owned and operated 30 full service car washes in eight different states originating in IL and moving on to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Florida, etc. In 1967, he purchased two car washes in Albuquerque and moved here in 1969. His dedication to the industry was early recognized as he was chosen a member of the Hall of Fame of the International American Car Wash Association. Jurkens leaves a family forever indebted to his total love, his generosity and his model goodness: Alice, his wife of 66 years; sons, Jeff Jurkens and wife, Irina of Madison WI, Joel Jurkens and wife, Leetra of Albuquerque and Durango; daughters, Jill Jurkens and husband, John Messimer and Jody Gates and husband, Charlie both of Bosque Farms. In addition he leaves three grandchildren, Brooke Penley of Austin, TX, Bryn Jurkens of Los Angeles and Jonah Jurkens of Chicago and also two brothers, Col. Ed Jurkens, USAF retired, of Honolulu and William Jurkens and wife, Marge of Eden Prairie, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stevens United Methodist Church, 4601 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 or The Reagan Ranch - Young America's Foundation at , Reagan Ranch Center, 217 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101, 888-USA-1776, John's favorite "preserving America's founding principles" organization. Memorial Services will be held Monday, January 14, 2013, 11:30 a.m. at St. Steven's United Methodist Church, 4601 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE. Ennichment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.