John Dempsey

In the early morning hours on March 12, 2015, John Charles Dempsey passed away peacefully of natural causes in his sleep while on a business trip in New Orleans.

John Dempsey was born in Houston, Texas on October 14, 1961. He was the third child and second son to Marge and Robert Dempsey.

John grew up in Pearland, Texas where he attended Pearland High School. During his junior year, he led the baseball team to their only state championship win in 1980, and again during his senior year, making it to state finals. John graduated from Pearland High School in 1981 and went on to play baseball for Mclennan Community College in Waco, Texas, where he competed in the National Championship Tournament in 1982. He completed his studies at University of Texas El Paso in 1985, while playing baseball there as well.

John started out in the beverage industry as a sales manager then moved into the auto service and repair business. This led John to his calling with Blessey Marine in July of 2002. John worked himself through the ranks to become the COO for the company he loved as much as if it were his own. He was honored and humbled in August on 2014 when Blessey Marine christened the MV. John Dempsey for his years of service and tireless efforts to improve every person and aspect of the company owned by one of his best friends, Walter Blessey.

John was an avid outdoorsman in every sense. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting and cooking outdoors. He was the Texas State Sporting Clay Champion in 1999. He also enjoyed golf and was a member at Golfcrest Country Club. He was also a big sports fan, but baseball was always his first love. John continued this through coaching youth baseball tournament teams for several years.

John and Terri made their dreams come true when they purchased the Double D Ranch in 2009. John spent most of his free time working and improving the ranch with the hope of retiring there one day.

John was preceded in death by his mother Marjorie Childress-Dempsey and his father Robert Dempsey, as well as his father-in-law Nathan Ellis.

John is survived by his loving wife Terri Ellis-Dempsey and their children Tannis Knighton and husband Jason, Randi Massey and Shane Massey, as well as his mother-in-law Brenda Ellis. John was a proud grandfather to Kane, Kole and Kate Knighton. John is also survived by his sister Vicki Giallanza and husband Tom, and nieces Kristina and Kali, as well as his brother Kevin Dempsey and wife Renee, along with their children Stephanie, Chris and Jordan.

The service celebrating John's life will be held at 10:00am Saturday, March 28th, at New Hope Church, 3640 CR 58, Manvel, Texas 77578. A reception will follow at Reflection Bay Event Center, 12234 Shadow Creek Pkwy., Pearland 77584.

In lieu of usual remembrances, memorial contributions in John's name may be made to the American Heart Association.

The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. A special thank you goes to the Blessey family for their support and help, especially to two of John's closest friends; Clark Todd and Dane Morgan for their sincerity and compassion shown to our family in this difficult time.