John Harrington

For John Harrington, the two most treasured aspects of life consisted of his unending faith and the tremendous love of family. With a ready smile, it was a joy to be in John’s company. Whether it was with family, at work, church or out on the golf course, John enjoyed bringing laughter to the hearts of others.

John’s story began in 1939 as Americans began to hope again as the U.S. slowly emerged from the Great Depression. “God Bless America” was introduced and moviegoers enjoyed the premieres of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and “Gone With the Wind”. Even so, at a time when the country was looming on the edge of World War II, John “Jack” C. Harrington and his wife, Marie (Hull) Harrington had cause for celebration when they were blessed with the birth of their son, John Clair Harrington on March 27, 1939.

The third of four children, John was born and raised in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. They lived on Sweet Street and eventually moved to Duiker Street. As a family they attended Berean Baptist Church where John’s strong faith and commitment to the Lord took hold of his heart. He learned to play the trumpet and also sang for the Children’s Bible Hour. Although raised with rather strict rules, John had a good childhood but also found his share of mischief. He went to Palmer Elementary School and while in high school met a beautiful young girl named Dawn DeMan who soon became his sweetheart.

Throughout his teen years John developed a love of cars, especially hot rods. He always took exceptional care of the cars he himself owned, and the faster the better. He later graduated from Creston High School and began attending Davenport College where he played basketball and earned his associates degree. In college he worked for a packaging company while also continuing to date Dawn as she completed her high school education. After she graduated, the happy couple was blessed in marriage on June 4, 1959. When they purchased their first home, John soon realized he was good at fixing things and was quite handy. With the help of his father-in-law, he learned well. When he fixed something, it was done thoroughly and precisely.

Before long John and Dawn began their family with the addition of Amy and Julie whom John adored. As a loving and protective father, he instilled rules and guidelines for his girls, but his bark was usually worse than his bite. John was a tad stubborn and had very traditional and conservative values. He held strongly to his beliefs and rarely bent his own rules for living. As a family they enjoyed traveling to Florida and Texas to visit John’s family but their most enjoyable and memorable times together took place in Michigan. One of his hobbies included snowmobiling and he loved taking the kids along with him. His penchant for fast cars continued and they shared many Saturday afternoons and evenings at Berlin Raceway watching the races and supporting the local drivers. Quite the comic, John loved bringing laughter to others and got a charge out of embarrassing his girls when they were young.

A faithful provider, John worked at HH Cutler and later at Gill Manufacturing for a time. For 20 years he was a faithful and dedicated employee at PB Gast and Sons. Throughout most of his career John worked as a salesman selling mainly janitorial supplies. With clients around the state, John’s work often found him traveling but he absolutely loved being behind the wheel on the road. His schedule often allowed him to be home most nights to share a welcoming dinner with Dawn and the girls. Honest and personable, John was an excellent salesman who could sell anything to almost anyone. He was very much a people person with a flair for making others smile and became a good friend to many. With his quick sense of humor, it was a joy to be in his company. Even after John “officially” retired, he continued to work. He had several small jobs including some sales, as a driver for Same Day Delivery and as a valet for Kool Chevrolet.

John loved working around the house. Meticulously clean and organized and whether it was his home, cars or lawnmowers, John took great pride in maintaining everything with care. A true perfectionist, John was so organized he even had records that logged car repairs, when things were last cleaned and to whom he loaned tools. When he was in his 30s John took up the game of golf and it quickly became his passion. For many years he was a member at Silver Lake Country Club and more recently at Scott Lake Country Club. Golf flowed through John. He loved it, studied it, read about it, watched it on TV and practiced it. Most of all he loved playing with anyone that said yes to a game which often included his wife, family and of course many friends. Playing golf also allowed John to enjoy the outdoors he loved so well.

In his element, John’s grandchildren brought him great joy. He loved them dearly and in his eyes, they could do no wrong. Sharing laughter and play, he spoiled them to no end. Even when they were little he never let them cry for long before picking them up. When they grew older, he always made sure they knew how to have fun at grandpa’s house. With a love for playing cards, especially Uno and Rage, John taught his grandkids how to play (and cheat, too!).

A creature of habit, John thrived on routine. Although he was never one for change, he left room in his life for a little spontaneity. Each evening before bed John enjoyed a bowl of vanilla ice cream topped with his favorite homemade chocolate sauce. In their free time John and Dawn loved getting away to Traverse City for short vacations or long weekends. Never in a hurry, he often went at his own pace while taking in the scenery. In recent years it was nice to have his siblings close by so he could visit. Ever strong in his faith, John and his family attended Calvary Church for many years before moving on to New Community Church. He loved singing old hymns and enjoyed listening to old southern gospel. It was important to John that his grandchildren would one day come to share his faith.

John’s health issues forced him to slow down, especially the past several months when he needed oxygen. Recently diagnosed with lung cancer, John was set to give it a fight but the Lord had other plans. At the age of 71, John went home with the Lord on Wednesday, July 14, 2010.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dawn; children: Amy Harrington-Bird and Julie Harrington-Nelson; grandchildren: Brooke DeLosh (fiancé Tonio Fominaya), Jonathon Wakeland, Brittni Bird, Jordan Nelson; brothers: Don (Joanne) Harrington, Marilyn (Jack) Kryger, Richard (Marcia) Harrington; brother-in-law, Samuel (Carol) DeMan; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Marie Harrington and his parents-in-law, Jay and Marguerite DeMan. John reposes at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE where friends may visit with his family on Friday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 17, 11 AM at New Community Church, 2340 Dean Lake NE. Interment in Fairplains Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to CBH Ministries or New Community Church. To read more about John’s life, to share a favorite story, memory or photo, or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.