John James Vorhies

John James Vorhies passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday, May 19, 2022. He was 81. John was born November 30, 1940, in Flint, Michigan, to parents Cecil Cronin Vorhies and Alice Alberta (nee Davis) Vorhies who preceded him in death. John was the oldest of 5 children of which brother, Ronald Wayne Vorhies, and sister, Alice Ann Reid, both preceded him in death. John is survived by his wife of 61 ½ years, Toni Vorhies of La Mesa, CA, daughters Debra Kramer of La Mesa, CA, and Jacqueline(Todd Herrman) Vorhies of Escondido, CA, and grandson, Joseph Kramer of La Mesa, CA. He is also survived by his brother, David E. Vorhies(Sharon) of Grove, OK, and sister, Cecile M. Phillips of Davison, MI. He is also survived by an extended family including brothers and sisters-in-law, Rudy(Olga) De La O of Santa Fe, NM, Virginia De La O of Akron, OH, Eleanor Jones of La Mesa, CA and Terri(David)Trussler of Las Vegas, NV, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and his two cats, Molly and Cami.

He was a member of Clio Area High School Class of 1960, but he left high school early to join the United States Marine Corp in June 1958. He was sent to San Diego for boot camp and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA. In 1959 he met the love of his life, Toni (Marie Antoinette) De La O. They married December 16, 1960 and shared 61 ½ years together as husband and wife.

After separating from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1962, John worked at an automotive warehouse, and Narmco Research & Development. In 1965, John, Toni and daughter Debra, moved to Durand, Michigan. For the next 2 years he worked for General Motors. His second daughter, Jacquie, was born before the family returned to San Diego in September 1967. In 1975, John became a truck driver and began working as a cross country driver during which time he and his family missed each other. John left driving cross country and began working for local Armour Oil Company. He left Armour to work for Mobil and remained there until his retirement in 2002.

John was an active and social man who enjoyed helping others. He was a member of the Kiwanis of Lake Murray, served with the Home of Guiding Hands, volunteered at the VA Hospital and served with many veterans organizations including the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Museum and Stand Down for several years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the MCRD Museum. He became an active member of the Marine Corps League’s World Famous Bulldog Det #835 of San Diego in which he held many positions including serving as their Commandant, and as the Commandant of the Dept. of California. He was also a member of American Legion Post #6 of San Diego.

John loved sports including baseball, football, hockey and basketball. His favorite was baseball and he followed the S.D. Padres. He also followed the Chargers, and Michigan State football teams. He spent several years coaching for the Spring Valley Softball League and made lifelong friends from the baseball and bowling leagues he played on.

John was a loving, caring and generous man. He never met any strangers, only friends he hadn’t yet met. He felt is was his duty, and an honor, to serve others. He brought a smile, a laugh and love to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed..

Service will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 10th at Miramar National Cemetery located at 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3:30 PM at the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park located at 2115 Park Blvd, San Diego 92101. For questions or information, please contact daughter Jacqueline Vorhies on Facebook or email at [email protected].