John Korondy has called many places "home" on his life journey, but his story began in Budapest, Hungary. John was raised under communist rule during the 50's and 60's. After scoring very high in his high school exams, he was invited to attend university in Budapest. This was an honor usually extended only to true blue-blood communists. Shortly after John entered university, it was discovered not only that he was not a member of the communist party, but that his father was a capitalist living the life of a successful entrepreneur in Los Angeles, California! John was released from university and faced a life of very limited options as a young man in Hungary.
After a lengthy discussion with his mom, it was decided that he should attempt to escape Hungary and make his way to America. So in 1968 John and two other young men tried to swim the Maribor river to Austria and freedom and a fresh start. However, they came under rifle fire. One of his two companions was shot, and John and the other young man were arrested. In the spring of 1969 John made his second attempt at fleeing the country, and this time he was successful. After making his way to Italy, he contacted his father, who had escaped to America in 1956 with John's uncle, shortly after his marriage to John's mom had ended in divorce.
With his father's help, John made his way to America, and landed in Washington D.C. on July 4, 1969. He was amazed to see the entire city celebrate his arrival with fireworks! He had no idea that July 4th was a holiday in America. John had dreamed of being a stock broker, so after arriving in L.A. he spoke with a Merrill Lynch representative. He was told to get a college degree, some sales experience and a wife, as they did not hire single men. John was committed to becoming as successful as he possibly could as a capitalist, so he eagerly pursued all three and worked for Merrill Lynch until Uncle Sam called him into military service.
In 1975 he entered the US Air Force. He was stationed in Sunnyvale, California, and given specialized training as a computer programmer. When his military service ended in 1979, a small, aggressive technology company hired him to work on their next generation operating systems. The name of the company was Hewlett Packard, and they were such a small company that everyone knew everyone else, and the founders (Bill and Dave) would come around and personally speak with all of the employees. John found himself immersed in the burgeoning computer industry. He witnessed first hand the explosive growth of HP, the Silicon Valley and south bay area. He often worked seven days a week, twelve to sixteen hours a day, finding himself increasingly successful materialistically, yet becoming aware of growing emptiness in his soul.
In 1993, having reached a state of burnout, he approached his supervisor and informed him that HP was sending him to Hawaii on their nickel for some needed R & R. HP agreed, and John spent a lot of time resting, asking questions and seeking answers. In 1995 HP asked him to move to Fort Collins, Colorado, in order to build an organization for the company there like he had done in Silicon Valley. Still seeking answers to life's questions, he agreed to the move. He decided, before arriving in Fort Collins, that he would ask the first five people he met where they attended church. He determined that he would visit the church with the most personal recommendations. No kidding, the first five people all gave the same answer!
It is no wonder that John was very surprised his first Sunday at the Unity Church, when he discovered a small congregation and a very humble building. The warmth and sincerity of the people brought him back, and John soon joined the congregation. In the church John became acquainted with an elderly lady and her daughter. Some time later the lady attended a church meeting with another of her daughters, recently returned from Australia where she had been on assignment with Hewlett Packard. Thus John and Lonnie Sue met and their romance began.
In 1999 John and Lonnie Sue were recruited to help with an internet startup in San Jose. The challenge intrigued them both, so they moved back to California to take on this new challenge. In 2002 they were faced with another challenge. John's mother, Klara, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. They determined to move out of the rat race of the bay area and find a new home. Klara said she wanted four things: four seasons like her home in Hungary, an Albertson's store, Bank of America and Starbucks (all within close proximity). John's list included close proximity to an airport, mountains, and good hospice care. An internet search of the entire nation recommended two cities: Knoxville, Tennessee, and Spokane Washington. When John contacted a real estate agent in Spokane, he suggested Liberty Lake.
Klara loved her new home until her passing, and John and Lonnie Sue are delighted to call Liberty Lake home. John enjoys his involvement in Kiwanis, because he wants to help build a sense of community and invest himself in the service to the community.
It is a long way from Budapest to Liberty Lake, and we are glad that John has made the journey. We are blessed to call him our neighbor and friend.
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