John L. Daman

Thank you!

Miss you grandpa

What is there to say about John Lawrence Daman? The more correct answer would be what is there not to say. A decorated army officer veteran, a doting grandfather, a loving husband, a PhD (he was always very proud of this)., and a caring father. I can rarely refer a time when he said no and meant it. Like with God his answer or solution or timing may not have been when we wanted it or what we wanted him to do, but he never left anyone behind. He was an avid storyteller I'm not one for remembering units or dates, but I will always remember the story of when he was behind enemy lines, escaped with a friend, got to a river and the friend decided to part ways. John made it home it's unknown if the other did as well. Or the story of small-town justice and the local peeping tom. Or of his days as the Great chicken thief at the local all you can eat chicken buffet.
He played the gruff exterior well but deep down he was a kindhearted man. He took in several of his kids strays when they had nowhere to go. He helped raise several of his grandchildren when their parents were finding their footing on the precarious world of adulthood. I will always remember to wear socks even though I hate them for the rest of my life. I remember one Christmas where he watched me put a pair of shoes back on the shelf and he went back the next day and got them and wrapped them under the tree because he knew I had no family to spend Christmas with.
John ran what was affectionately considered a grandparent’s home. It was often small and cramped but with 10 kids and 23 grand kids that is expected. The younger ones always know where the lollipop stash was and could always be counted on to squeal hi papap as they ran to greet him on arrival. He loved sitting and watching war documentaries with the older grand-kids as they would be put to work rubbing papaps feet, but they didn't mind it. They enjoyed the stories he had to add to the scenes. Although each grand kid knew not to point a Nerf gun at papap and if they didn't well, they sure had a story to tell after the first and only time they tried it.
John used to always tease his kids that he was writing his life story and that each kid would have a chapter in it. I don't think he ever actually got to write it, but I feel a profound sense of loss that it will now never get written and that the world will never see the true autobiography story of the details that only the person writing it could tell.

God Bless you and Nancy's wonderful legacy.

I have many fond memory of Uncle John. Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

I'm so grateful God chose you to be my father. My life has been full of joy and loving memories of you. You were my hero, my support and my spiritual guide. I'm at peace you are now pain free and reunited with mom in heaven.