John Pigion

John Wilfred Pigion, 95, passed away on June 13, 2020, during the height of COVID. He was happily married to Elaine Olive Matzdorff Pigion, 98, who passed away on October 11, 2023. They were married for 71 years and lived most of their married life in Yakima. One of their final wishes was to be buried together in a single ceremony. A graveside service will be held on October 19, 2024, on what would have been their 76th wedding anniversary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Valley Hills Funeral Home. John was born in Huron, South Dakota, on November 11, 1924, to Reverend EW Pigion and Marie Lindgren Pigion. He moved to Yakima at a young age when the Reverend became rector at St Michaels Episcopal Church. He attended Yakima High School (now Davis Sr High), and, after serving in the army in WWII, worked as a professional photographer before taking a position at Yakima Hardware Company, where he worked until his retirement. John and Elaine met in High School and were married on September 19, 1948. John was preceded in death by his and Elaine’s parents; John’s brother George Pigion and his sister Wilma Thomson; and Elaine’s two brothers Donald Matzdorff and Harold Matzdorff. They are survived by their two sons, Richard of Sammamish, WA, David and his wife Gail of Burkeville, TX; three granddaughters, Laura Pigion of Portland, OR, Sarah Pigion of Los Angeles, CA, Cheryl Pigion of Baton Rouge, LA; three nephews, Michael Matzdorff and his wife Melinda of Eagle, ID, Steve Matzdorff and his wife Christie of Amboy, WA, and James Thomson of Maple Valley, WA; a niece, Lynnette Rudolph of Wenatchee; two great granddaughters, and a great grandson. John and Elaine loved to camp and explore the backroads of the Pacific Northwest and were always looking for the new sight over the next hill or around the next bend in the road. They were a gentle, caring, and loving couple, and will be missed by all who knew them. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Pigion, please visit our flower store.