John Dees, Jr.

John Monroe Dees Jr., 87, of Colonial Heights, Virginia, went to be with our Lord on March 31, 2022, after a valiant battle with cancer. “Johnny” was born in a small farmhouse in Coffee County, Georgia, on July 18, 1934. He grew up as the youngest son of a rural postmaster in the community of Ambrose, Georgia, where he attended the local Congregational  Christian Church. After graduating from high school at the top of his tiny class, he went to South Georgia Jr. College, and then transferred to Auburn University, where he graduated from the Industrial Engineering Program in 1962. Johnny also served his country in the Unites States Air Force, where he was a first Sergeant and responsible for monitoring fire control systems on jet aircraft. He was also employed briefly by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry-dock Company, and then spent the majority of his working life in the Federal Service at Fort Eustis and Fort Lee, where he worked in various roles, including as a management analysist for the Troop Support Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers. Johnny was active in church both at Parkview Baptist Church in Newport News, and at Immanuel Baptist Church in Colonial Heights. Johnny was a faithful husband of 62 years. He was a “deacon’s deacon” who many times “went the extra mile” for others and he was a faithful friend to many, without consideration of their status. He was a Sunday school superintendent, a foreign mission supporter, and a man of prayer. He was a beloved father and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed. Johnny is survived by his wife, Phyllis W. Dees; his son, John Allen Dees and wife, Cheryl; grandsons, Bryce and Carson Dees; his older sister, Virginia Chambers, and her son George Chambers and wife Candy, and their son, Caleb and their daughter, Taylor. Other survivors include, Johnny’s nephew, James “Jimmy” Wiggins and wife, Tammy: Jimmy's sons, Chad, Cory, Eric, and their wives, Melissa, Regina; Jimmy’s grandchildren, Arjen, Aiden, and Gunner; in addition to nephews, Wolfey Wiggins and Leland Dees and wife, Sara Ann, and their children, Timothy Dees and Leigh Ann Delgiudices, and husband Chris, and Leigh Ann’s daughter, Bella, and her son, Ryder. Johnny is also survived by his niece, Jane Lanham and husband, Rodney, their daughter, Lynn and her husband, Greg Steeves, and granddaughter, Avery, and their grandson, Henry; and numerous cousins and extended family members. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, John and Willie Blanche; three brothers, Tully, Howell, and Billy Dees; sister, Bonnie Manry; and niece, Belinda Wiggins. A memorial service to celebrate Johnny’s life will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church, Colonial Heights, on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors there prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. A covered-dish lunch will be served after the service in the church fellowship hall. The Reverend Steve Lalk will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift could be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering through Immanuel Baptist Church, Colonial Heights, or to the Gideons International.