September 23, 1930 – August 7, 2018
Dr. John W. Unis, Jr, DVM, passed away on August 7, 2018 at home under Hospice care in Dragoon, AZ. He was 87 years old. He was born on September 23, 1930 in Seattle, WA and graduated from Olympia High School in Olympia, WA in 1948. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, WA in 1952. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Washington State University in 1957. He worked as a Staff Veterinarian and Surgeon at Burien Veterinary Hospital in Burien, WA from 1957 to 1960. He then established the Olympia Veterinary Hospital in 1960, where he practiced veterinary medicine until he sold his practice in 1980 and moved to Pearce, AZ and opened Valley Veterinary Service. He retired from veterinary medicine in 1988, but continued to do consulting work for other veterinarians. He was a former Chairman of the American Animal Hospital Association and member of Animal Technician program Advisory Committee, an Executive Board member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association and past president of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Association.
John received a degree in Airframe & Powerplant Maintenance from Cochise College in Douglas, AZ in 1988. He earned certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and went to work for America West Airlines in Phoenix, AZ. He was an aircraft line mechanic and then a technical writer until his retirement in 1997.
Dr. Unis was involved in numerous civic and academic organizations throughout his career to include the Seattle Opera Association, Northwest Ballet Guide, Olympia Opera Guild, Olympia Kiwanis International, Capital Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Greater Olympia Chamber of Commerce, Thurston County Humane Society, Smithsonian Institution, National Wildlife Association, National Geographic Society, National Oceanographic Foundation, Alpha Psi Omega and Alpha Phi Omega, National Small Business Association, Olympia Yacht Club and was a past Commander of the Olympia Power Squadron boating organization. He was a member of the Washington State National Guard from 1948-1951. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Sunsites, AZ fire department.
Dr. Unis was married to Ellen M. Harms, of Davenport, WA, from 1953-1964. They had two sons – Brian D. Unis and Richard E. Unis. Brian lives in Edane, Sweden and Richard lives in Leesburg, VA. Richard has a wife, Cynthia, and three daughters; Kristina, Hillary, and Hannah.
Dr. Unis was remarried in 1965 to Laura E. Fry. They had a daughter, Suzanne M. Unis (now Campbell), who lives in Olympia, WA with her husband, Paul Campbell, and their daughter, Heather Campbell. Laura had one son, Edward Garvin, and one daughter, Cathy Unis, from a previous marriage. John and Laura divorced in 1974.
John remarried again in 1983 to Ralphine C. Matuszak, of Dragoon, AZ. John and Ralphine were still married at the time of his passing. Ralphine lives in Dragoon. Ralphine has three daughters (Robin Bruch, Susan Collins and Fawn McGee), and one son (Adam Matuszak- who is deceased) from a previous marriage. Ralphine has ten grandchildren.
Dr. Unis was cremated and his ashes will be buried at Olympic Memorial Gardens in Tumwater, WA, next to his parents, Dr. John W. Unis, Sr, MD and Esther Unis, RN.