John Phillip Dearing

1950 - 2025

John Phillip Dearing

September 9, 1950 - July 6, 2025

Boise, Idaho - GONE WEST ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a true hero, John Phillip Dearing on July 6, 2025. John was born on September 9, 1950, to parents Leonard and Jennifer Dearing in Ellensburg, Washington. John was the youngest of four children, Herbert, JoAnn, and Suzanne.

From an early age, John was captivated by the allure of flying machines, travel and motorcycles. He would ride his bike to the Ellensburg airport to watch the airplanes take-off and land. At the age of 14 he got a job with the local Honda motorcycle shop and worked as a mechanic. He used his earnings to take flying lessons and pursue his dreams of becoming an aviator. He obtained his first pilot license at age 17.

John's passion for flight did not end with fixed wing aircraft. He had a strong desire to fly helicopters. After graduating from Ellensburg high school in 1968, John joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18 to fulfill his desire. By the age of 19, he was a commissioned Chief Warrant Officer flying Cobra, Chinook, and Huey helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He honorably served a 13 month tour in Vietnam and then immediately re-enlisted for a second tour.

While serving in Vietnam near Phuoc Vinh, John was rewarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in action while engaged in air battle against a hostile force. During his two tours in Vietnam, John also was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star for heroism, a Purple Heart, and the Air Medal for heroism.

He was honorably discharged on September 9, 1971.

After leaving the Army, John was hired by Columbia Helicopters in 1972. He would go on to fly helicopters for Erickson Air Crane and in 1975 he began a long career at Boise Cascade Aviation. During his employment at Boise Cascade, John would fly helicopters for logging operations and personnel transport, Learjets, Hawker 800, Falcon 50's, and Falcon 900's. He would end his long career as the Manager of Flight Operations when the company ceased flight operations in 2006.

John would marry his first wife Barbara the day after his 19th birthday. John's only child, Jeffrey, was born to him and Barbara in 1980. John and Barbara divorced in 1995.

John loved to travel the world and would meet his current wife Jenny Su after ending up in the same tour group in Thailand in 2015. After a long courtship, they were married in 2022. He and Jenny have remained married until his recent passing.

John's keen sense of humor and adventurous spirit will be sorely missed by all his relatives and by so many others who were lucky enough to know him and be his friend.

He is survived by his wife Jenny of Boise, his son Jeff of Twin Falls, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Suzanne and JoAnn, and brother Herb.

He will be honored with a full military memorial service at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery on August 12th at 10:00.