John Mahoney

John Mahoney made his way with care and creativity.

He was a photographer for the Denton Record-Chronicle, his hometown newspaper, and for studios in Dallas. He shot film for television news and worked at photo labs in Dallas, TX,Chicago, IL, and Orlando, FL,He built custom woodwork in Dallas and stage sets for corporate events across the country. He was a founder of the Allen Street Gallery for exhibiting the work of

Dallas photographers. After retiring, he began crafting digital art with his computer, with a camera always at hand.

John's skills, talents and interests were wide-ranging, as were his travels. He loved taking the back roads to wherever and would force down a beer or two along the way. With plywood, he transformed a VW bug and an open-top Jeep into road-trip accommodations.

"Most of the time we didn't know our destination," said Laurie Mahoney, his wife of 35 years, recalling John's spontaneity and love of car camping."Sometimes we might know we were going north, south, east, or west, but that often changed when we headed out. It was always a great adventure, and wonderful memories. I'll miss our wanderings."

Ann Mahoney, John's only sister, remembers, "Mom & Dad telling me that John was always a wanderer. Not running away, but running towards adventure. I was fascinated hearing about his travels. There were hours spent on my patio listening to what he experienced and who he met along the way. I would never have known about these parts of the world, if not forJohn's stories. I think what I will miss the most is his wit. He had the ability to make me laugh even in difficult times."

A trip to East Texas, driving a friend home for a doctor's visit, was John's last. He suffered a brain aneurysm and died July 21in a Tyler hospital. He was 81.

Born in Hannibal, Mo., John Lynn Mahoney moved with his family to Denton in 1956, after his father took a job teaching industrial arts at North Texas State College, today's University of North Texas. His parents, Twila and James Mahoney, preceded him in death, as did his brothers, Jim and Bob Mahoney. John's sister, Ann Mahoney, lives in Lewisville.

John graduated in 1961 from Denton High School, where he excelled in speech and drama. Two years later, he attended Martin Luther King's march on Washington. He continued competitive debating at North Texas, leaving college for photography at the Record-Chronicle. He moved on to film at KERA-TV in Dallas before embarking on a years-long, around-the-world roam.

"You could bring up any topic, and he could carry on a respectful, intelligent conversation about that topic." His cousin remembered. "He might have disagreed with your position, but he always understood."

"He was a fearless traveler," said a companion on those distant travels. "The idea of spending an indefinite length of time in a country where he didn't speak the language and carried only a backpack and a camera bag drew him around the world." And back in North Texas, she said, "he loved to spend a couple of early morning hours paddling a canoe on the Elm Fork of theTrinity River. But he

always wanted to keep going on the river, to keep seeing the changes in the landscape as the river wound its way south."

Friends and family recall John as kind, trusting, gifted and engaging, a man who loved music, playful humor, telling stories and talking politics with a sharp edge. A rock of support for Laurie and her mother.

-- "He was the hip older uncle with great hair and cool sunglasses. John taught me how to juggle and showed me his collection of CDs that rivaled anyone's. Over the years, he truly showed interest in our conversations, and I felt a genuine connection with him. He was always the first to be a helper" for his family "or any person in need. A creative handyman, jack of all trades."

-- "John Mahoney marched to a different drummer. He was a craftsman with the soul of an artist and an artist with the hands of a craftsman. He was an "off-the-road" traveler who took time to smell the roses -- and photograph them as well.

He had a true servant's heart, but never wanted anybody to make a big fuss about thanking him."

-- "His eyes always told the story of what he was about. They sparkled when he laughed and rolled when he had enough. He was someone that did what he said he would do. We were all lucky to have him as friend."

-- "He struck me as the kind of guy that would help a friend or a stranger because it was the right thing to do, no questions asked, no expectations for reciprocity. He was a good man."

-- "John was an amazing man to know, quiet but very funny. He was always up for an adventure and could debate any topic, but also knew when to slow down and enjoy the moment."

-- "John was a good, intelligent and compassionate human. He was always straightforward, no BS. His sense of humor was second to none."

-- "John left his excitement, curiosity and sharing essences when he was around. He told of his adventures … or when he had completed an art piece to his satisfaction. He'd show us his latest on his phone. Surely a quiver or two full of experiences, John didn't suck the air out of the room. Rather he filled it with his good portion while swapping stories with others."

John's ashes will be buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton. His friends and family will gather at a Dallas restaurant Sept. 20, to celebrate his birthday and life.