John Edward Fairlie III, of Caldwell, Idaho, passed away on December 26, 2025, with his loving wife by his side.
John was born on June 4, 1959, to John Edward Fairlie II and Patricia Ann Hunt in Springfield, Massachusetts. His family later moved to Oregon, where he completed high school in Grants Pass and attended Rogue Community College. Drawn by both family ties and his love of the outdoors, John eventually made his way to Alaska, living in Anchorage and Wasilla.
Career & Work
While in Alaska, John worked for the Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, where he discovered a deep passion for surveying, cartography, and geographic information systems (GIS). This passion carried him to Boise, Idaho, where he became one of the first cartographers at the BLM Idaho State Office to use AutoCAD on a computerized system, helping produce early digitized maps and mapping products.
John expanded his education in Geographic Information Systems through continued coursework at Boise State University and La Grande Community College in Eastern Oregon. His studies included astronomy, climate and sustainability, environmental sciences, and cultural geography. He built a distinguished 30-year career with the Bureau of Land Management, beginning in Alaska and continuing in Idaho, where his work left a lasting impact.
Love & Family
During his years in Boise, John met the love of his life, Pamela Ruein Story. After working side by side for five years, John proposed to Pamela in a way perfectly suited to him—on a map. She happily accepted, and the two shared a bond marked by deep devotion and unwavering companionship.
Interests & Passions
Beyond his professional life, John found joy in gold prospecting, gold panning, hunting, fishing, and planting trees. His love of the outdoors remained a constant thread throughout his life, reflecting his respect for the land he worked to understand and preserve.
Survivors
John is survived by his devoted wife, Pamela; his sister, Samantha McGibbins; his brother, Ray Torres; his children, John Ryan Fairlie, Adam Mathews Berain, and Heather Lee Bristow; and his eight grandchildren.
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