John Earl Caka

John Earl Caka passed away July 28, 2010 at his home in Mapleton. He was born in Flemington, NJ in 1961 to John G. and Jean A. Caka.



He graduated from Hunterdon Central High School and Teterboro School of Aeronautics with an Airframe and Power Plant License. He later got his FAA Inspection Authorization, as well as multi-engine pilot's license. He was flying before he was walking and loved everything about aviation. He inherited his love of flying from his father and uncles, and received his private pilot's license when he was a teenager. His knowledge of aviation was encyclopedic, and people respected his inherent ability to "fix anything with wings". After moving to Utah, he worked at Alpine Aviation and then Rocky Mountain Helicopters, before starting his own aircraft maintenance business at the Provo Airport. His standard of excellence was such that he insured every aircraft he worked on was safe enough for his own family to fly in.



John joined the LDS church in New Jersey, and shortly after, in 1986, married Fern Mortensen in the Manti Temple. They established a home in Utah and had two sons, John S. and Jacob. John loved the NY Mets, anything about the Apollo Space Program, rock-n- roll music, gourmet cooking, and most of all, his two sons and airplanes. He had a larger than life personality and a heart as big as the skies.



He is survived by his wife, sons, daughter-in-law (Nawang Sherpa Caka), father, and brother (Jerry). We will miss you, John, but we know you are now at peace and free from the pain.



Services for John will be in the Mapleton 20th Ward, 1215 N. 1000 W. on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 2 p.m. Viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 82 W. 400 N., Mapleton and at the church on Monday one hour prior to the service. Interment in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.