John Drumheller

DRUMHELLER

John D. Sr.



John DeCair Drumheller, age 90, died on March 19, 2014, in Conroe, Texas, where he had resided in recent months. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was the son of Nathan Howard and Prudence Mae Drumheller.

John was an accomplished man. He was a naval aviator during WWII, and continued in the Naval Reserve, until retiring as a Commander in 1965. He studied at Drexel, University of Miami, and University of California at Berkley, obtaining a PhD in Chemistry, after which he began a career in private industry. For many years he was a Director of the Maumee Chemical Co., Toledo, Ohio. After being acquired by Sherwin-Williams Paint Co., he held positions in that company retiring as President of Sherwin-Williams of Mexico in 1981.

John was a talented jazz pianist, who had an encyclopedic memory of the American songbook. He entertained and played with gusto and elegance his entire life. John was an avid stamp collector, who enjoyed the beauty of the many areas of his collection, particularly the British Colonies. John was a tireless traveler, who loved to plan very ambitious trips to places not often seen by tourists. He spoke many languages and loved to get the real feel by speaking with locals in their native tongue. He visited all the continents with the exception of Antarctica. While living in Mexico City, John mastered the Spanish language and traveled to every corner of Mexico with wife, Lucille. He was an admired businessman chairing the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, and a member of many professional and philanthropic organizations. John was a member of several clubs during his lifetime, including the Sylvania Country Club, Chapultepec Country Club, and the University Club of Mexico among others. John shared his life and adventures with wife, Lucille, until her death in 1997.

John leaves four sons, Tom Reynolds (Diana) of Woodlands, Texas, John (Marcia) of Toledo, Ohio, Mark (Barb) of Ada, Michigan, and Grant (Karina) of New Castle, NH. John had eight grandchildren, John, David (Jenn), Peter (Cortney), Linde (Kyle), Ashley (Tom), Tess, Sarah Lucy (Byam) and Ward. John also had three great-grandchildren, Kendl, Sydne Lucille, and Camille. Pop Pop will be sadly missed by all of them.

For many years John, Lucille and sons would snow ski at Caberfae in Michigan. Travel was a leitmotif for the young family and taking to the road on extended car trips to all corners of the country and Canada was a yearly summer event. John and Lucille eventually left Mexico and retired to San Diego, California. They continued to travel driving their RV cross country many times. He continued his interest in travel, golf, stamp collecting, and education - never tiring of learning new things.

The family thanks the Above & Beyond assisted living home and Silverado Hospice in Conroe, Texas, where John received exemplary care during his final months, and as well his special friends, Richard and Carol Miller who cared for John like a father. John will be remembered as a distinctive member of the greatest generation. His rigorous intelligence and musical soul will remain an inspiration.

A service and celebration of John's life will be held in Toledo at a future date to be announced.