GISI, John J.
died of natural causes on Sunday, December 3, 2017. He died in Lakin, KS while on a hunting trip. John was born on August 16, 1945 in Harvey, ND. The seventh of nine children, John served our country in Vietnam after graduating high school. He married Sandra Myklethun in 1969 and graduated from Valley City State University in 1971. Later that year, John and Sandy moved to Tempe where he began his long and distinguished career in banking. Banking moved John to Flagstaff in 1973, Tucson in 1983 and Phoenix in 1995. John was a renowned businessman, an avid outdoorsman, golfer and philanthropist. In 1981, John was awarded the Flagstaff Citizen of the Year Award for his public service and citizenship. In 1983, John served as Commissioner for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. From 1984 to 2005, John was the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board for National Bank of Arizona, which remains one of the leading financial institutions in the state. The Tucson Conquistadors awarded John the distinguished Service Award as its President in 1993. John served as President of the Arizona Banker's Association in 1997 and from 1997 to 2001 he served as a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Museum of Northern Arizona. John was a Member of the Board of Directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. In 2002, John served as a Board Member for the University of Arizona Foundation.
An accomplished hunter, John
was member 961 of the exclusive Ovis Grand Slam Club, which has only 2016 members worldwide and he was a lifetime member of the Boone and Crockett Club, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Desert Big Horn Sheep Society and a recipient of the Jamison Conservation Award. Of primary importance to John was family. His memory and personality lives on through his wife Sandy of 48 years; son, Jason Gisi and daughter-in-law, Tammi; daughter, Kristin and son-in-law Tim Romano. John was a proud grandparent to Kendall, Lauren, Julia and Wyatt Gisi and Andrew and Tommy Romano. He is survived by his sisters, Rita (Jack) Doering, JoAnn (Ron) Trom, Mary Jane (Glen) Lueck, Maggie Willard; and brother, Leon (Peggy) Gisi; numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Mary Gisi, sisters, Leah Gumeringer and brothers, Marvin Gisi and Jim
Gisi. Equally important to John were his friends and John had many of them from the various chapters of his life. He developed long lasting, deep-rooted friendships that spanned from North Dakota, to Kansas, to Flagstaff, Tucson and Phoenix, Alaska and Mexico. At the core, a people person of great character, John was as comfortable in the Boardroom as he was on the golf course or on a hunting trip. He lived every day to the fullest. John's Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. and St Patrick Catholic Community in Scottsdale. Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children or Salpointe Catholic High School.