John W. Lemon

LEMON, John W. (age 81) – Passed away on December 11, 2015, after a hard fight with cancer and lung disease. Born in Pittsburg, Kansas on August 18, 1934, to James and Mary Lemon, John was the youngest of 10 children. Moving to Spokane as a young man, he attended Regal School and then, Rogers High School, where he met his wife of 40 years, Ila Lemon. She preceded him to heaven as did two sons, Jeffrey (1981) and John “Buster” (2000). John is survived by his wife of 19 years, Nanetta Lemon, whom John always referred to as his “Little Woman”. John realized what a blessing Nanetta was and how fortunate he was to met, date, and marry her in the later years of his life. John is also survived by his son, Randy Lemon of Spokane; his sister, Mary Lou of Boise Idaho; 10 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Throughout his occupational career, John drove delivery truck and semi for local companies, such as Joey August Dist., Fastest Way Motor Freight, and his over 25 years with the Bonneville Power Administration, from which he retired. John’s talents and gifts kept him extremely busy through all four seasons of the year. He played semi-pro football from 1959-1961 for the Spokane Rams, where he chalked up many offensive yards and points. His running and passing ability was well noted in both our local newspapers back then, The Spokesman Review and The Daily Chronicle. The passion of John’s sports career was men’s fast pitch softball here in Spokane. He played for teams such as Lucky Lager Beer, Eagle Electric, Zeigler Bldg. Supply, and Beryl Restaurant and Bar. Years of playing fast pitch softball tournaments took John and team members to cities all over the Northwest, such as: Portland, Seattle, Brewster, Yakima, Tri Cities, Wenatchee, and as far away as Havre, MT. John’s playing and hitting shots landed him and his teammates numerous city and regional championships and he was honored with having been picked to be part of the “International All-Star Team” in 1964. Talking to John, his most thrilling and humbling experience of fast pitch softball was just being suited up and playing with or against gifted sportsmen, such as Don Stoddard, Woody Woodard, Denny Newcomb, “Lefty” Davey Olson, Jerry Ogle, Mike Asan, Rex Edwards, Ray Russell, Jim Slaughter, Hoppy Sebesta, Hank Harder, Gary Brown, Larry Brown, Bill Long, and “Manager Extraordinaire” Jim (Potts) Porter. Later in life, John devoted much of his time to the ministry of Jesus Christ. As a street preacher, he gave of himself finding and helping the down, out, and hurting people of Spokane. About the time of his retirement, his first name seemed to change from John to Grampa and even to Pappa John. He will be missed and heaven blessed with his passing. Services will be held on Monday, December 21, 2015 at 1:00p.m. at RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME, 4305 N DIVISION, SPOKANE, WA with graveside service immediately following at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2015 between the hours of 3PM and 6PM at the funeral home.