John Charles Tollefson's Obituary
John Charles Tollefson, age 68, tragically died March 13, 2024, after a pedestrian-car accident in Memphis, TN. He was on the way to the family mountain home in North Carolina, which brought him great joy. John was an adoring husband; loving brother, father and grandfather; brilliant attorney; and a generous and charismatic friend and neighbor. He was a passionate soul who pursued adventure, new experiences, and knowledge. He marched to the beat of his own drum in the best way.
Born in Cedar Rapids, IA to Robert (Bob) Dean Tollefson and Margaret (Marge) Zauner Tollefson, John was the older brother to Karen. From an early age, he was hard to contain. He was just too smart. While he admitted he may have tormented his younger sister in childhood, as they grew, Karen became his equal sparring partner and closest companion. The Tollefson family moved often during John’s childhood living in Richardson, TX, Huntsville, AL, and St. Louis, MO, where he graduated from Parkway West High School in 1973. He then enrolled in Emory University for his undergraduate education and graduated from Tulane University School of Law in 1979. He joined Bienvenu, Foster, Ryan & O’Bannon LLC in New Orleans where he worked until 1991.
In 1981, John met his future wife Bonnie at a law firm picnic following an introduction by a mutual friend. They picked strawberries in a garden there, married a little over a year later, and shared their love for each other and their daughter Margaret until the day he died. A devoted and enthusiastic father, John drove Margaret to school every day, proudly instilling his wicked sense of humor and insatiable curiosity into her personality.
John, Bonnie, and Margaret settled in Dallas in 1991, where John built his career as an insurance coverage lawyer and ultimately was a founding partner in 2006 of what is now known as Tollefson Bradley Mitchell and Melendi LLP. During his career, he argued multiple times before the Fifth Circuit, served as Chair of the Texas Insurance Law Section, and was recognized countless times as one of the best insurance attorneys in the state. He also helped start the ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee and was the long-time editor of the Coverage journal.
John stayed busy keeping pace with his speedy mind. He did not do “idle” well. With a unique and widespread set of hobbies, he built and restored wooden boats; was an avid gardener of native plants; a yoga practitioner; a white water kayaker; a history aficionado and avid reader; and a cyclist who finished the Hotter N’ Hell 100 bike race 20 times. In addition, John was a passionate environmentalist, hiker, advocate for Harry S. Moss Park, and early member and eventual spin instructor of the Lake Highlands YMCA. His favorite new role, though, was being Grandpa John to his first grandchild, Claire Ellen Guerrero, whom he taught how to use an abacus and do “the pig face” at the age of 7 months.
John is survived by his wife Bonnie, daughter Margaret Guerrero, son-in-law Ryan Guerrero, granddaughter Claire, sister Karen Mauro and her husband Joe, brother-in-law John Baine, uncle Charles Tollefson, loving nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends, and dog and fellow adventurer, Oscar. He is preceded in death by his parents and many beloved dogs.
There will be a celebration of his life on March 22, 2024 at 2 pm at Christ Lutheran Church in Dallas, 3001 Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75225. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lake Highlands YMCA or the Christ Lutheran Church’s Mission Endowment Fund.
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