John Charles Brodersen

John Charles Brodersen passed away February 9, 2009.  He was born in a log cabin in Alberta, Cananda on January 9, 1917.  John and his family came to Phoenix in 1924 where they operated a citrus nursery.  John owned a Texaco gas station from 1937 to 1942, served in the United States Army during World War II, and retired from the Phoenix Fire Department as a batallion chief after more than 34 years.  He married Dorothy Robison in 1947 after a brief courtship and their marriage and love has endured for almost 62 years.  They raised two sons, Ernie of Tempe and Tom of Prescott.  John was well known for his generosity and kindness and was revered as a hero by many.  He had an uncanny ability to fix, invent or build whatever was needed.  His company, Brodersen Products, marketed fire fighting related equipment that he had developed.  Most of all he will be remembered for his love of his family and friends.  He was an active member of the Prescott Church of Christ.  John is survived by his wife, Dorothy, sister Berta Antrim of Phoenix, brother Bill and wife Rosita of Casa Grande, son Tom and his wife Nina Perlmutter-Brodersen, son Ernie Brodersen and grandchildren Brett and Whitney, and daughter-in-law Sher Walters.