Jon Allen Nedrow

Jon Allen Nedrow, affectionately known as “Pops” by his grandchildren, passed at the age of 84 in the comfort of his family home on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Jon was born March 28, 1938 in Lansing, NY to the late Ephraim and Lucy (Tvaroha) Nedrow.

Jon graduated from Lansing High School in 1956. He served in the United States Army and Army Reserves for 8 years. He married the love of his life Katharine (Kathy) Elizabeth Kelly September 5, 1959. He worked at Smith-Corona as a foreman, and later started farming with his brother William “Bill” Nedrow. Together they started Nedrow Brother’s Farm, a dairy farm they operated for 45 years. He had a special bond with his sister-in-law Joan Kobasa (husband Bruce), who also worked with him for over 25 years. After his retirement he started K&J Surplus Combine Salvage which was a booming business that was the first job for most of his grandchildren. It set the foundation for Jon to teach them life skills, work ethic, never to pass an ice cream stand without stopping, and where he imparted such wisdom as “eat dessert first!”

Ever the comedian, Jon loved reading the Sunday funnies and sharing “The Far Side” jokes with his family. He was an amazing storyteller, a gift he inherited from his father, and told tall tales to all of his grandchildren. Stories of sidehill cows, toe-nibbling sturgeon in Cayuga Lake, and the water tower being filled with beer. Jon was an avid bird watcher who you could often find sitting in front of his large bay window enjoying the birds and a hot cup of coffee.

Jon is survived by his wife of 63 years Kathy; his children, daughter JoAnn Carlson (husband Barry) and their children Erin Hart (husband Charles), Kristin Carlson-Parsley (wife Melissa) and Timothy Carlson; son Steven Nedrow (Marianne Stebbins) and his children Kaycee Wilczek (husband Eric), Emily Nedrow, Randy Nedrow (wife Samantha) and Shannon Nedrow; daughter Cathy Barron (husband Scott) and their children Danyelle Barron and Morgan Barron (Huston Mattson); five great-grandchildren; his brother William “Bill” Nedrow; sister Nancy McKane; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Jon is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Ruth Swearingen and Marjorie Sharpsteen (husband Donald); sister-in-law Sandra Nedrow; and brother-in-law Richard McKane.

Jon was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who spoke often about how proud he was of all of his grandkids. His last wish was to continue to teach young minds, therefore his body will be donated to Upstate Medical University as part of the Anatomical Gift Program. He will later be laid to rest in a family gathering at Lansingville Cemetery, Lansing, NY.  Memorial contributions in honor of Jon can be made to Hospicare or The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

In Honor of Jon tonight, “Eat your dessert first!”