John William DeYoung's Obituary
John William DeYoung, Jr. of Irving, Texas went to the Lord peacefully on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 after a long illness. He was 95. John was a devout Christian and member of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX and Plymouth Park Methodist Church in Irving, TX where he served as an usher for many years.
Funeral services will be held at Restland Memorial Park (Dallas) in the Wildwood Chapel at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Visitation will occur on Monday evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.
John was born to John William DeYoung, Sr. and Lillian Rush DeYoung in Camden, Missouri on October 22, 1927. Mr. DeYoung graduated from Camden High School in May, 1945. He was part of a class of 12 students. At 17, with the permission of his mother he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve immediately upon graduation. Upon his discharge from the Navy at the end of the WWII wind down, he received the Victory Medal for his service in WWII. He found he really enjoyed working in the field of sales, customer service and tires. John spent most of his career between Mansfield Tire and Rubber, Co. and various divisions of Firestone, retiring from Firestone in 1992.
During his childhood, he learned to work with wood from his uncle, Russell Rush. Mr. Rush was a professional carpenter and taught John to appreciate working with wood crafts. In retirement, John became known for making small wooden trains and race cars. He would make hundreds every year. Then donate them to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital and Children’s Medical Center so the children could paint them as part of their Christmas activities. His work for children gained the attention of the Irving Masonic Lodge #1218 which awarded him a community service citation in 2011.
John and his wife Lila (1927-2000), made the ultimate commitment of parenthood by adopting Raymond Edward (1963-) and Mary Ann (1966-) as their son and daughter from Hope Cottage in Dallas. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren. Christina DeYoung, Brandon DeYoung, Paul Catlett, Cherish Catlett, Drayke, Stephanie and Destiny Haynes. (Stephanie and Destiny are twins).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in the memory of John W. DeYoung, Jr..
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