John K Dearing

John K. Dearing passed away peacefully on November 26th, 2025 at the age of 96 surrounded by his loving family. He was born the oldest of 8 in Louisville, Kentucky on February 6, 1929, to John Keller and Mary Rose Wirth.
John is survived by his sons, Jack (Cathie) and Ted (Carol); daughter, Vickie (Todd Volyn); 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; brother, Frank (Shirley); and sister, Julie Malavet. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years Alice Bindner; his parents; oldest son, Terry, and John's 5 siblings, Mary Rose Bast, Barbara 'Bobbie' Dale, Lillian 'Willie' Dale, Redempta Gwynne, and Jim Dearing.
John graduated from St. Benedict Grade School and Flaget High School where he was the starting quarterback for the first varsity football team in 1945. He served his country in WW II aboard the USS Graffias, sailing in the North Pacific and supplying provisions to American bases in Nagasaki and Sasebo Japan. While raising a family in the West End and Portland communities, He was a founding member and coach with the Shawnee Baseball Little League and the American Legion sponsored Shawnee Pats. Also, for several years he coached both football and baseball at St. Columba Catholic Grade School where he became known simply as COACH.
John's 34-year career with Prudential Life Insurance Company required a move to Frankfort, Kentucky in 1971 where his leadership and management skills earned his staff numerous regional and national awards. John and Alice kept their faith as members of Good Shepherd Catholic Church for 51 years. He was a purest when playing golf: walking the course 3 times a week until the age of 88, never taking a mulligan, refusing to play from the senior tees and not taking or giving an opponent a 6" putt.
John traveled out of the country, visited family and friends across the States, enjoyed reading historical books and watching sporting events. John was extremely proud to see all his children graduate from college, an opportunity he did not have. He was a lifetime supporter of the American Legion and the age of 96, he traveled to Washington D.C. as part of the Honor Flight to recognize veterans for their service.
Visitation will be Wednesday December 3, 2025, 12 pm – 8 pm, at Ratterman Southwest Funeral Home, 4832 Cane Run Road, Louisville, KY. Funeral Mass will be December 4, 2025, 11:00 am at St Paul Catholic Church, 6901 Dixie Highway. Louisville, KY with burial in St. Andrew Cemetery. Bereavement meal at St. Paul will be served following internment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Flaget Alumni Association Endowment Fund, PO Box 36558 Louisville, Ky. 40233 or St Jude Children's Research Hospital. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John K Dearing, please visit our floral store.