Dorothy Josephine John

Dorothy Jo John passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 27, 2015. She turned 97 a day earlier and was treated to a lovely birthday serenade by a music therapist from VNA Hospice. Several staff members from The Forum joined this group for a final rendition of Happy Birthday. Dorothy was born August 26, 1918, in Columbia, Missouri. She was the daughter of Charles Clifford Dimmitt and Josephine Rawlins Mitchell Dimmitt. She was preceded in death by her three half siblings, Margaret Schlomann, Ruth Morris, and Gray Dimmitt and her husband of 67 years, Tyrus Raymond John. Dorothy grew up in Fayette, Missouri, where she graduated from Central College. She pursued a teaching career after graduation. Her first job was in Blackburn, Mo., a small town 60 miles from Fayette. There she met her future husband, Ty. They were married in Fayette on May 31, 1942, and lived happily together until his death, January 29, 2010. Ty spent his entire career with Employers Insurance of Texas retiring as Sr. VP of Sales. Dorothy and Ty were very active in the sales department leading many trips and events. Dorothy served as a “den mother” for the spouses of the sales force and in that capacity developed many lifelong friendships including Joan Jones, Bobbie Stark, and Carolyn Ohl. Dorothy was a member and active participant for many years in The Women of Rotary. Dorothy and Ty were members of the HP Presbyterian Church, sitting in the same pew near the same friends for many years, a constant which always provided them great comfort. Other memberships included the Dallas Athletic Club Country Club and the Park Cities Club. Dorothy’s great joys in life included travel, dancing, and “working out”. Dorothy is survived by her son, Phillip Gray John and his wife, Sue P. John of Dallas, daughter Julienne Gast and her husband Lee Roy Gast of Mansfield, Texas, Granddaughter Angela Donley and her husband Steve Donley of Edmond, Oklahoma, great grandson Jackson Donley, and Grandson Jonathan Gast and his wife, Tiffany of Mansfield, Texas. The Memorial Service will be held in Wynne Chapel at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd., on Wednesday, September 2, at 2:00 pm. followed by a reception in the parlor. The family would like to offer special thanks to Maxine Bellman, a loving caregiver and VNA Hospice for their dedicated work. Donations can be made to Visiting Nurses Association, 1600 Viceroy Drive, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75235.