John Bartee

Bartee, John R., born in Chicago, IL on May 14, 1950, passed away on January 8, 2021 in St Louis Park, MN due to complications from COVID-19.  A graduate of Macalester College, John was a highly intelligent and cultured man whose interests ranged from politics to classical Greek to Sumo wrestling to Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Mahler to playing several musical instruments. John taught English to Japanese businessmen throughout Japan for fourteen years. In Minnesota, he taught English as a second language to adult immigrants and volunteered at St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka.  But for health issues, Japan would have been his life-long home, such was his love for Japanese culture. Still, he maintained his connection to Japan by playing the shakuhachi and writing beautiful haiku poems to his family and friends on all important occasions. Survived by siblings Thomas W., Kathryn D., Joseph E. (Lonnie), Nancy Bartee Hacker (Mike), sister-in law Karin Bartee, and brother-in-law Marshall Hambro; nieces and nephews Rachel and Brian Bartee, Allison, William and Hannah Bartee, Matthew and Benjamin Hambro; step-nieces, Tammy and Terri Holmlund, Jennifer Chiulli; great nieces and nephews, Makenna Rustad, Claire Wheatley, Quentin and Isabel Bartee. Preceded in death by parents Robert C. Bartee, Jr. and Shirley Y (Lindros) Bartee; brothers, David W. and Robert C. (III) Bartee.  Many thanks to the community and caregivers at Sholom Home West where he was beloved by many over the last four years.  Memorials preferred to research toward COVID-19, Neurofibromatosis, and Epilepsy.  A memorial service will take place in the future when it is safe to gather.  Oyasumi, John.