John Bolling Degges
December 13, 1935 - July 29, 2020
John Bolling Degges died July 29, 2020, a victim of the COVID-19 Pandemic. He was born December 13, 1935, in Tampa, Florida to Francis Tucker Degges and Margaret McIlwaine Degges. Married Patricia Harley Ward July 14, 1972, in Boise, Idaho. He served thirteen years as a Presbyterian minister and then worked thirty-one years for National/Fairchild Semiconductor. Survived by his children Katherine Ward, Chester C. Ward, and Virginia B. Ward, along with nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ricki, and his brothers, Francis M. Degges, William C. Degges, Meade F. Degges, Gifford B. Degges, and Thomas C. Degges. The family wishes to thank Noemi of Summit Home Health and all the staff at Capitol Hill Senior Living for their tender care in this terrible time. A lifetime of thank-yous goes out to the staff on Amtrak Passenger trains who introduced Johnny to Ricki and assisted Johnny with many happy hours of train travel over the years.
Services will be held on-line though St. John’s Lutheran Church on August 7, 2020 at 10:00 am. (The link is available upon request from the family). Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1350 E. 500 South.
In Loving Memory
Daddy, I hope you are on one long, wonderful train ride! Love always, Katie
Johnny gave many years of dedicated service as an elder at St Johns Lutheran Church. He will be missed.
Dear family, My condolences with the passing of your Father! He was very beloved and such a gentleman, yes, gentle man. He used to come to our home while he was a member of our Life in Christ CRC . Wishing God’s comfort to you, Anne Pos.
Deepest sympathy to the whole Degges family on the loss of Uncle Johnny. He and Aunt Ricki visited us several times in North Carolina and we treasured those visits. He told some really good stories about their train trips. There's just something very satisfying about riding the rails. The Degges brothers were a special group, finding success and caring for their families. May we have good memories of them all. And especially good memories of Uncle Johnny who stayed in touch with everyone as much as he could, as far flung as we are. May he be traveling around those many mansions now in peace and happiness.
I know "Degge's" from the "Trains" news form. He was always knowledgeable about anything railroading and taught me many things. God Bless!! Ed Burns of Minnesota Retired Clerk NP-BN-BNSF from Minneapolis.
My truest and sincere condolances to Johnny's family! I never met him personally but knew him through the "Trains" magazine readers Forum, and Johnny was a pleasure to "speak" to and correspond with. A true Southern gentleman of the old school! He will be sorely missed by us on the Forum.
I only “knew” Johnny via the Trains magazine discussion forum. I will miss his presence there greatly. I could sense that he was the perfect gentleman, and his tales of riding the rails were vivid, enjoyable and enlightening. My condolences to his family and friends. Be glad you had the pleasure to know him. I sure wish I could have met him in person. A man of grace and dignity, he will long be remembered on the forum.
when i was a new member at st.john's johnny would give me a ride home every sunday.for the last few years johnny,bob malinsky and i would ride together to church just about every sunday.he had a beautiful speaking voice;i really enjoyed it when he did the readings.he was a kind and gentle person.i cried when i heard the sad new and will miss him very much.
I knew John from the train forums as well.Was always wanting to know how the eastern railroads were working.Always a kind word.Stacey Matt and I send our condolences.
In Loving Memory
