John Wilmore

JOHN WILMORE

December 4th 1958 - March 8th 2026

John Wilmore, aged 67, sadly passed away on March 8th 2026 after a brave fight in the hospital.

John was born in Salisbury, England to Brian and Mary Wilmore. He was an only child and, due to his Father being in the Air Force, he lived in many different places in England and even spent a few years living in Germany. John and his parents finally settled in Stow-on-the-Wold where he attended Westwoods Grammar School. He enjoyed playing in the Chipping Norton Band with his Father and, of course, he had a love of sport. Football and javelin were his favourites. He then studied at North Gloucestershire College of Art & Technology.

In 1982 he met his wife, Debbie, and they were married in 1984. In 1993 John and Debbie moved to Houston, Texas with their two girls Kelly and Clare. He continued to play football (soccer) and met many people who became friends for life. He loved music, and had a very eclectic taste, and he also enjoyed playing guitar with friends over the years. Kelly and Clare adopted John's love for music and have fond memories of a soundtrack to their childhood.

John was loved by many for his sharp wit and cheeky sense of humour and he took great pleasure in winding up those he loved. John loved being a Grandpa and his grandchildren - Oli, Lucy and Elliott - will miss his silly faces and big hugs.

John was very proud of his Irish Heritage and had memories of visiting his relatives as a young child. He and Debbie travelled to Ireland in 2013 and enjoyed visiting his family in County Wexford where he connected with his many cousins.

Animals held a special place in John's heart and so there was always a dog in the family. Holly was John's constant companion, and Joplin took her place when she sadly passed away. John also loved birds and kept a vast selection of bird feeders and bird houses in the garden, where he enjoyed spending time. He also loved visiting Port Aransas to photograph migratory birds and other wildlife.

John is survived by his wife, Debbie; Daughters Kelly and Clare; their partners Nathan and Peter; and his Grandchildren Oli, Lucy and Elliott. He is also loved by his family in the UK: Sister-in-Law and Brother-in-Law Sharon and David Redbond; Nephews and Niece Luke, Craig, Jay and Verity; their partners Joanna, Natalie and Vicki; and Great-Nephews and Nieces Jole, Tate, Freddie, Avery, Oakley, Myla and Addison. As well as his cousin Vivienne and her husband Ineson and their family: Amanda and Chris, Josh, and Alex. John will be incredibly missed and will live on forever in the hearts of his family and many friends.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

In John's honour, we would love for you to plant a tree or a butterfly bush.

Poem "Happiness is a Distant Beach" by John Wilmore:

I have a secret happy place that's deep inside my head,

It's where I like to visit every night when I'm in bed.

I travel there by boat, the sail flaps gently on the mast,

The ocean shines a million shades of blue, the sky is vast.

My happy place appears on the horizon far away.

I land my boat upon the beach, the palm trees sigh and sway.

The sand between my naked toes is talcum powder soft,

And seabirds greet me, singing loud while soaring up aloft.

I watch the ocean push its white-tipped waves toward the shore,

And listen as each wave collides with beach then is no more.

I'm quite alone on this small isle, nobody else around,

No Friday footprints in the sand to spoil what I have found.

My island paradise soothes each and every body ache,

And sweeps away the pain and angst the daytime strove to make

So I drift away, serene and calm, my body free of stress,

And off to sleep I travel filled with joy and happiness.