John Dennis Stearns Sr.
John Dennis Stearns Sr. was born on July 2, 1936 in Omaha, Nebraska and passed away in his sleep on August 14, 2023 in Hereford, Arizona after a short illness. As a child of an Army Doctor, Dennis moved around most of his childhood. After WW2 the family eventually settled in Cambridge, Nebraska in 1946, where Dennis attended school and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1955. He was very active in sports during high school, earning All District in football and track. After one year of college, Dennis enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Graham Air Force Base in Florida and in San Antonio and Lubbock Texas as a jet pilot trainee. After leaving the Air Force, he went back to college earning degrees in science and history.
During college he met Mary Ralston who was also getting her teaching degree. They were married in December, 1958. A year later they had a daughter, Denise.
Dennis and Mary ended up moving to Waterville, WA, where he taught high school. Dennis was very active in coaching and refereeing. While in Waterville, they added 2 boys to the family, Dan and JD Jr. The family moved to Goldendale, WA, where Dennis taught high school for several years before receiving his Masters of Education degree and becoming principal at Goldendale High School.
While at GHS, Dennis was very involved in coaching football, wrestling and track. Dennis and Mary divorced in 1984 and Dennis married Julie Johnson. They moved to Dallesport, WA after retirement where he enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting and woodworking. He was known as to have made his own furniture and was very good at it!! He also enjoyed making his own wine and beer. They soon moved to Sierra Vista, AZ, primarily for the weather.
Dennis leaves behind his daughter, Denise (Jana), his son, Dan (Deb). Dennis’ youngest son, JD Jr. passed away last year. Other survivors include his wife, Julie and her son Chip, sister Linda (John) McIntosh, brother Howard (Barb) Stearns, his faithful dog, Whiskey, grandson Jeremy (Amy) Rowland, granddaughter Nikki (Andy) McClory, great-grandkids Raef and Bodhi Rowland, Zack Young, Harper and Finley McClory. I would also like to give a big shoutout to Manny and Cathy Vera for so much love and caring for my dad these last few years.
