John Dyer Wilbur, Sr. Obituary (1924

John "Jack" Dyer Wilbur, Sr. age 80 went to his well-deserved rest with God, Thursday evening, January 13, 2005. John was born with his identical twin Jim on April 26, 1924 in Downers Grove, Illinois to Florence (Kalbas) and Fred E. Wilbur, Sr. John was raised and educated in Downers Grove, Illinois. John married his lovely wife Dorothy "Dorothea" Joyce on Armistice Day, Saturday, November 11, 1950 in Cherry Point, North Carolina. John was a well decorated United States Marine who served honorably and proudly in both WWII and the Korean War as an Gunnery Sergeant (Drill Instructor), Communications Specialist, Aviation Electrician (to the likes of Pappy Boyington), a war correspondent for "Stars and Stripes" and the editor of a military newspaper in Cherry Point, North Carolina. After serving with the US Marines, John continued his educational studies in his beloved theater at the Goodman Memorial Theater (Art Institute of Chicago) and the University of New Mexico. He was the Right-handed twin Carstair's Whiskey spokesman, performed in many Summer Stock Theater productions along side such well-known actors as Shelly Burman, Jack Klugman, Lois Nettleton, Orson Wells, Harvey Koreman, Betty David and more. He starred as TV detective Jack Pelt in the 1950's and portrayed his best role of all "Jesus Christ" in the St. John's Passion play in Cincinnati, Ohio for many years. John was a mentor to underprivileged, inner city youth as a recreation director in Cincinnati for many years. He lovingly taught many people to swim, as he was taught by Johnny "Tarzan" Weismuler. John was a commissioned salesman, who could sell anything well, most of his professional life. John was self-employed as a business owner of "Carver's Corner" - Ye Little Whittle Shoppe" in Cincinnati, Ohio and a member of the National Woodcarver's Association for many years. John moved to Bremerton with his lovely wife Dotty in 1997 to retire. In Kitsap County, John was known as "The Cane Man" for his beautiful and individualized walking sticks. He carved a cane for Pope John Paul II and Yitzhak Rabin. John had a personal ministry to give out his beautiful, hand carved crosses to local children and sent many to AIDS afflicted children in Africa. Along with his artist hobbies, John enjoyed fishing very much. Among John's proud accomplishments are 54 years of marital happiness with his lovely wife Dorothea. Together they raised six children: James Dyer of Hawthorne, CA; Pamelazita of Ft. Mills, SC, the late Kenneth Vincent, Noel Eric of Lebannon, OH, Danita Lynn of Bremerton, WA, and John Dyer, Jr. of Brandon, FL; grandchildren James Jr., Bradford, Kirsten, Adam, Damian, Jamie, Amanda, Katrina, Jared, Michael and grandpets Pokey, Mercedes, and Otis. Great-grandchildren Matthew, Christian, Terze, Gavin, Kalana Lilani-Rose and Peyton-Anton; his sister Mary Catherine "Ditty" Lucibello of Naperville, Illinois; his identical twin brother "The left handed Carstair's Whiskey twin" James Clark of Lakewood, CO. John proudly wrote and had published his own book "Salesmanship: According to John" read by many the world round such as President Bill Clinton and more. John hand-presented Former President Nixon's wife Pat with a beautiful wood relief of Jesus Christ on the cross that he lovingly carved by hand. Rae Dalton-Hight features a glimpse of John's life in Chapter 10 of the newly released book "Voices of WWII Veteran's". John was welcomed into heaven with Jesus by his parents, his older brother Fred E. "Bud" Wilbur and his son Kenneth and many, many loved acquaintances.