John B Denune

Biography

Remembering Dad

When I think about Dad, there are so many things that come to mind. He was a gifted administrator. He had a place for everything and a plan for getting it there.

He didn't often ask us to help, but occasionally he put us to work. once he had us unloading and carrying things from the car, while he supervised the packing and organizing in the basement. Some of those things are still there!

Dad was a wonderful provider. He made sure we had everything we needed, and more than a few of the things we wanted. He also taught us the importance of living within our means and staying out of debt. Those are lessons that have served us well throughout our lives.

He was also our constant companion. Dad was always around, always nearby. He never seemed to have much desire to go off with his friends. His family was his company, and we were fortunate to have so much of his time.

He wasn't much of a music listener, although he did enjoy country music. Television, on the other hand, was something he enjoyed quite regularly!

One thing I remember about Dad was the care he took with his correspondence. When he was asked a question, he made an effort to answer it thoughtfully and completely. If he didn't know the answer, he wouldn't just guess. He would do a little research and find out. He believed in getting things right.

Dad was always fair with his children. He was willing to lend us things, but there was usually a lesson attached. We were expected to take good care of whatever he entrusted to us. And, of course, there was always a rather careful accounting! His generosity came with a sense of responsibility. He wanted us to understand both sides of the agreement.

Now, Dad loved a bargain. If one was good, a thousand were better!

For a while, he enjoyed buying salvage lots at auction. Hundreds of gloves, hats, costume jewelry, and all sorts of assorted merchandise found their way into his possession. Sometimes he and his brother Harry would split a lot, although there was always a little friendly competition between them.

I remember one occasion when Dad bought several hundred wigs. One afternoon, he and I went around to wig shops all over town, selling them for a dollar apiece until we had gotten rid of the whole lot. It was just another day's adventure in the world of Dad's bargains.

Mom may still have some glasses frames in her basement from one of those salvage lots. When Margaret and I were in school and needed glasses, we were allowed to pick out our frames from Dad's collection. He may have been a little economical when it came to fashionable eyewear, but he never compromised when it came to our eyesight. He made sure we saw a very good ophthalmologist.

That was Dad. He was resourceful where he could be, but always willing to spend money on what really mattered.

Dad also took our family on many vacations, most of them by car. Those trips gave us a lifetime of memories. We covered a good part of the country, from New York to San Francisco, and Alaska to Mexico City. We visited most of the states along the way.

One memory that stands out happened in the snow capped mountains of Montana. We rounded a curve with a sheer drop-off beside us, only to see a sign along the road that said, "RESUME BREATHING."

Dad loved cameras. He had worked in a camera shop when he was young, and on every vacation he could be found with a camera hanging around his neck. There was never any question that we were tourists!

I remember one occasion when he was asking a man for directions. The man apparently didn't speak English, but Dad kept speaking louder and louder, as though turning up the volume might somehow solve the language barrier. It was a little embarrassing at the time, but we can laugh about now.

Dad also had a particular way of leading the family. Sometimes he would be five paces ahead, setting the course, with Margaret and me trying to keep up and Mom bringing up the rear, happily in her own zone.

It was quite a procession, but somehow Dad always got us where we were going.

When Margaret and I learned that Dad had once been a hypnotist, we begged him to demonstrate his talents on us. He wouldn't do it. But he did make us an Ouija board, complete with a handmade pointer. He explained that it was nothing more than the power of suggestion.

Even when we were children, Dad had a practical way of satisfying our curiosity without giving away all his secrets.

And that really brings me back to the kind of man Dad was.

He was practical, resourceful, and enterprising. He always had an eye for a good deal and knew how to make the most of what he had. He knew how to provide for his family and how to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

He lived comfortably and enjoyed life, but he was never extravagant or careless. He wasn't a selfish man. He seemed to have the uncommon wisdom of learning not only from his own mistakes, but from the mistakes of others.

He taught us in his own way. Sometimes through his words, but more often through his example.

We may not have appreciated every lesson at the time. Perhaps some of them took a few years to sink in. But as we've gotten older, we've come to understand just how lucky we were.

Much of what Dad gave us was intended to prepare us for life. He taught us to be responsible, to be resourceful, to think things through, to take care of what we had, and to live within our means.

But beyond all those lessons, he gave us something even more important. He gave us his time. He gave us security. He gave us a lifetime of shared experiences, family adventures, and stories that we will continue to tell.

And perhaps that's one of the greatest gifts a father can leave his children. Not just the memories of the places we went or the things we did together, but the lessons that remain with us, the laughter we can still share, and the comfort of knowing that he was always there.

We were blessed to have him as our Dad.

We will miss him, but we will carry his lessons, his stories, his humor, and his love with us for the rest of our lives.

And I like to think that somewhere in a mansion in the sky, there are still a few things waiting to be organized.

Obituary
John B. Denune passed from this life into eternity on the morning of November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in Granville, Ohio. He was welcomed into the loving arms of family and friends who had gone before him. At 100 years of age, he leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories, accomplishments, and a family who will forever cherish him.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, John was the second son of Linn L. “Jack” Denune and Barbara E. (Thomson) Denune. From an early age, he possessed a curious mind, an independent spirit, and a natural gift for finding his own way through life.

As a young man, John developed a magic act that featured both sleight of hand and hypnotism, demonstrating the ingenuity and showmanship that would remain part of his personality throughout his life. He earned a degree in chemistry from Otterbein College, but his career path took a somewhat unexpected turn. When offered a position at Battelle Memorial Institute, he learned that accepting the job would require an expensive government background investigation. Deciding that selling automobiles could be twice as profitable, he chose the road less traveled and continued his career in sales.

John also worked for his older brother, Harry, in the wholesale motorcycle parts business. As a traveling salesman, he visited 48 states, gaining a wealth of experiences and undoubtedly collecting more than a few stories along the way.

In the early 1950s, John began a business purchasing and selling bankrupt inventories, dealing in everything from toys to jewelry. His business sense and entrepreneurial spirit served him well, allowing him to retire at the remarkable age of 35. In retirement, he turned his attention to managing several rental properties.

Another chapter of John's life began around the age of 43, when his interest in stamp collecting evolved into a passion for Christmas Seals. From the early 1970s through the late 1990s, he purchased most of the major collections and available stocks that came onto the market. In this small and specialized collecting community, John became a well-known and respected figure. What began as a hobby grew into a lifelong pursuit that reflected his attention to detail, enthusiasm for collecting, and appreciation for the unusual.

Beyond his business ventures and collecting interests, John simply loved to drive and travel. He enjoyed exploring new places and making memories with his family. The open road was part of who he was, and many family memories were made along the way.

John lived what could only be described as a charmed life. He possessed a quiet wisdom and an uncommon ability to learn from the mistakes of others rather than having to make them himself. He was independent, resourceful, and never particularly inclined to follow the conventional path. He approached life with curiosity, confidence, and a belief in making the most of the opportunities before him.

Perhaps one of his greatest accomplishments was the life and family he built. For 71 years, he shared his journey with his beloved wife, Georgia. Together they created a family and a lifetime of experiences that will continue through the generations. Their years together stand as a lasting testament to a life shared.

John is proceeded in death by his brother Harry Denune; Survived by his sister, Margaret E. Jeffers of Worthington, and his loving wife of 71 years, Georgia; and their children, Margaret Judge (Geoffrey) and John Baughman Denune (Tricia); his grandchildren, Hilary Kalra (Ashish), Graham Judge (Ashlyn), and James Denune (Liz); and his great-grandchildren, Sophia Denune, Alice Denune, Liberty Heimerl, A.J. Cook, Arora Kalra, Jasper Judge, and Zoa Judge.

At 100 years, John's journey through this world was a long and remarkable one. He leaves behind more than a family tree. He leaves behind stories, lessons, adventures, and memories that will be told and retold by those who loved him. His life was uniquely his own, and those fortunate enough to have shared it with him will carry a piece of it forward.

A service to celebrate John's life will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday November 9, 2026 at McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home, 133 S. Prospect Street, Granville 43023 where the family will receive friends 30 minutes prior, from 12:30 - 1:00 PM. Rev. Brian Humphreys officiating. Burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery.