At age 82, John Neary is still an avid golfer. Yet when the Sammamish Plateau resident was retired in Arizona, he thought he needed another hobby. He found it carving Hopi Kachina Dolls, which are used by the Hopi Tribe to teach tribal youth about their ancestors.

Neary and his wife, Venelda, had retired to Sun Lakes, Ariz., near Phoenix, in the early ‘90s. The Hopi Tribe resides on 1.5 million acres in Northeast Arizona made up of 12 villages on three mesas. His teacher was another retiree who was very interested in the Hopi culture.

“He must have carved 50 Kachina Dolls when we started,” Neary said. “He was very good.”

Neary said the Hopis used jackknives to carve the dolls, but he learned using a short knife specifically for carving, at an initial investment of $16. The classes were free.

“The Kachina doll is the representation of a Hopi spirit or deity,” Neary said. “Kachina dolls were, and still are, made to be given away as gifts to Hopi children so that they may learn the different Kachinas and the stories and religious significance attached to them.”

Originally from Minnesota, John met Venelda at St. Louis University. She was a registered nurse and he was an aeronautical engineer, working for Honeywell for 26 years in its aerospace and defense group and with Sundstrand in Redmond for six years. He and Venelda were able to live in Germany, Belgium and four years in Paris throughout his career. She spoke fluent French.

The couple returned to Washington from Arizona after Venelda was diagnosed with alzheimer’s disease and they wanted to be to be closer to family. Today they live in Spiritwood at Pine Lake. Two of their four sons live in Sammamish. The couple has 12 grandchildren.

Neary still golfs, but doesn’t carve anymore due to arthritis in his hands. However, some of his Kachina dolls grace the main foyer at Spiritwood.

Neary figures he’s carved 20 to 30 of the dolls, but he’s given many of them away as gifts to family members.

Anyone is welcome to stop by Spiritwood to view the dolls. It is located at 3607 228th Ave. S.E. in Issaquah, on the plateau.

This very elaborate doll is called White Buffalo, carved by John Neary of Issaquah.

Horned Owl Kachina by John Neary.

Mexican Santa, by John Neary.