John Arthur Castleman was born May 20, 1935, in Leedy, MT to Lawrence and Nellie Castleman, and passed away at home in Poulsbo, WA on February 12, 2025.

John graduated from Bremerton High School in 1953, and from Western Washington University in 1959 with a degree in Music Education. He married Loretta Smokoff in 1956 and they welcomed three children – Vicki, Bill, and John. He married Sylvia Lofall Fritz in 1985.

John began his teaching career in Port Townsend and continued another 30 years at North Kitsap where he taught Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Choir to all grade levels. Highlights of his teaching career included founding the acclaimed Viking Jazz Festival and directing the Kitsap Youth Symphony.

John made a difference in the lives of his students, his enthusiasm and passion for music, excellence, and learning were transformative to several generations. He enjoyed playing music throughout his lifetime, including in his own combos, the Buz Whiteley Big Band, and Silverport Sound.

John had a life-long passion for radio-control model airplanes and boats. He founded the Olympic Radio Control Association (ORCA) model airplane flying club and built the flying field for the club in Port Gamble. John is survived by his wife, Sylvia; sons Bill (Vickie), and John (Louise), stepsons Jim (Maria) Fritz, and Dave (Lisa) Fritz, and foster daughter LeAnna (Gary) Baker; grandchildren Roxanne (Mike), Brooke (Jesse), Glen, Mackenzie, Ada, and Nathaly; and his cats, Sam and Lizzie.

John was predeceased by his daughter Vicki in 1982; by his brother Larry, and his sisters Alice Green, Lillie Wilkison, and Ida Mae Borhauer.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 P.M. at the North Kitsap High School Community Auditorium. Please bring your favorite Mr. C story to share.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s name to the North Kitsap High School Band Boosters at https://nkhsband.org.