John Dermody
February 5, 1940 — March 16, 2016
John Wayne Dermody, 76, of Frazee, MN died on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 in Fargo, North Dakota.
John was born on February 5, 1940 in Perham, MN the son of Clifford and Ruth (Hockett) Dermody. John was raised in Vernon Center, MN where he attended the Vernon Center Public Grade School. He graduated from the Garden City Public High School (now Welcome Memorial). He was very active in the athletic programs while in high school and earned varsity letters in football, basketball, wrestling and baseball. His love of sports was with him throughout his entire life.
John attended Mankato State College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in English.
His writing skills were honed to perfection while in college and he served as the Editor of the college paper. John has a life-long devotion to reading which lead him to buying and running the Wigwam Book Store, the college book store at Mankato State, shortly after his graduation. He taught English to high school students in Randall, MN and Wahpeton, ND after selling his beloved bookstore.
John's desire was to become a journalist and that pursuit found him working for the Standard Examiner in Ogden, UT and then for the Havre Daily News in Havre, MT.
His interest in politics and education found him working for the Minnesota Education Association during the mid 1970's.
In the late 1970's John relocated to Cupertino, CA where he lived with his brother Larry and family. His time in California was very special to him because he spent time with his two nephews and a niece. John worked for the local newspaper and he became a handicapper for the local race track.
John loved California but his real desire was to live and work in Frazee, MN. He moved back to Minnesota and worked as a journalist for the Perham, MN paper, the New York Mills paper and then finished his journalism career with the Frazee Forum. His enthusiasm for the Frazee community led him to be active in many community activities. John served on the City Council and was an active Lion's member. John was the organizer and chairman of the Tractor Tracks event for Turkey Days, which quickly became a crowd favorite.
He loved to write, he loved to read and he loved to follow the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins and the University of Minnesota Gophers. However, his biggest love of all had to do with the success that seemed to come about every winter when the Frazee wrestlers would hit the mats!
John is survived by his brother Larry and his sister-in-law Barbara Dermody of Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also survived by his niece Laura Wilson and husband Corey of Ladera Ranch, CA and two nephews Thomas Dermody of Enterprise, AL and David Dermody and wife Jennifer of Pensacola, FL in addition to nine grand nieces and nephews.