Roll Call Tribute

John R. Disheroon 

February 7, 1930 - November 8, 2023 

John Disheroon was born in Ranger, Texas on February 7, 1930 to his parents Henry and Edna Disheroon. John lost his father in a car accident when he was very young, so his mother had to raise him by herself. Though they had very limited resources, John managed to start his higher level education at Tarleton State College, and later transferred to Texas A&M College.

John spent two years at A&M before applying for pilot training with the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program. Once accepted, he flew the typical trainers of the time - the AT-6 “Texan” & the T-33 “Shooting Star” - before advancing to become one of the infamous F-86 “Sabre Drivers” of the Korean Theater. After returning to the states, John moved on to the “Century Series” of jet aircraft, and sustained a bad back injury as a result of a crash in an F-102 “Delta Dart” in 1957. Although receiving a prognosis of never being able to walk again, John was undeterred - he not only spent the remainder of the year learning to walk again, but also managed to regain active flying status the following year. Thus, he was able to complete a full 20 year career in the Air Force doing what he loved: flying!

John was married to his first wife, Donna, for nine years. After returning to A&M to finish his engineering degree in the mid-70’s, he was hired by Texas Electric in Graham, TX and eventually remarried - this time to his high school sweetheart Patricia. It was Patti who reintroduced him to the beauty of the Southwest and the mountains of Colorado. Starting with a cabin near Wolf Creek Pass, they eventually bought a charming little cabin on the Rio Grande, followed by a larger cabin across the river in the Big River Ranch community near Creede, Colorado.

Summer trips to the cabins were some of the most enjoyable memories for John since he loved doing most anything outdoors: boating, fishing, going for ATV rides with their Big River friends…or simply soaking in the hot tub with a mug of Jack Daniels and Sprite. John loved treating his family to all kinds of adventures across the U.S. - whether it was camping, visiting resorts, B&B’ing or RV’ing… always with his ever-present Canon A-1 camera at his side, taking pictures of everything (the prints from which processed in triplicate so he could share them with everyone he knew!).

John and Patti continued to maintain their home in Graham as their winter residence, where they were avid members of the Oak Street Baptist church. Sunday mornings would find them in front row seating at Knox Bishop’s Sunday school class, soaking up every word. In later years, John and Patti left their home in Graham to relocate to the Rolling Meadows retirement community in Wichita Falls, TX. It was here they spent the final years of their lives; starting with a two bedroom cottage, before moving to an independent living apartment, and finally the 24 hour care center at The Gables. It was largely due to the outstanding staff at Rolling Meadows - and particularly the nursing and CNA staff at the Gables as well as the wonderful people at Hospice of Wichita Falls - who allowed them to maintain their dignity and quality of life in their final years. The family wishes to thank all of these people from the bottom of their hearts for their efforts.

John was such a unique individual. He could charm the socks off of anyone with his blazing smile, friendly demeanor, and wonderful stories. He was part of a different era - one that may never come again - and he will be forever missed by his family, whom he loved dearly and who loved him in return.

John is survived by his son David Disheroon of Creede, CO, his daughter Cara Disheroon of Pittsburgh, PA, his daughter-in-law Jennifer Whelan of Houston, TX, and his step-grandson Trevor Whelan of Fort Worth, TX. A memorial service will be held on December 1st 2023 at the Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home in Wichita Falls TX. A graveside service with full Military Honors will follow at Crestview Memorial Park, with a catered reception afterwards.

John greatly loved dogs, so in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Canine Companions, Inc. CCI trains and provides service animals free of charge to wounded vets and other special needs individuals.

IN THE CARE OF
Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home & Memorial Park