John Vadakkedath John, known to his loved ones as Johny, was born on November 5th, 1947 in Thiruvalla, Kerala, India. Born to the late V.E. and Aleyamma John, he was the second oldest of their four sons, including the late John V. Yesudas (Kunjumon). Johny completed his B.S. degree in Chemistry at Mar Thoma College in Thiruvalla, Kerala. He worked as a chemist at Travancore Sugars & Chemicals. Shortly after, he decided to pursue law, obtaining his L.L.B. from Kerala Law Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. From here, Johny worked in the Kerala State government in the Town Planning Department. He eventually transitioned into the state’s Law Department and retired as a Senior Legal Advisor. Throughout his time working in the Kerala State government, Johny was an Election Returning Officer in various cities within the state.
He married Elizabeth John (Lizy) from Mavelikara, Kerala on January 6th, 1985. Shortly after, they were blessed with a son, Lijo. After moving to the United States in 1988, they settled in Baltimore, MD and were blessed again with their daughter, Liny. In 2010, Lizy was diagnosed with a terminal illness, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Unwilling to accept fate, Johny cared for Lizy for almost 10 years, where her treatment included two lung transplants, until her death in 2019 - surpassing the expectation of any doctor.
Johny was very active in the Malankara Indian Orthodox Church throughout his life. He was extremely involved during his college years in the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement. Johny served as a Sunday School teacher and headmaster at his family home parish, St. Mary’s Indian Orthodox Church, Valanjavattom. During his tenure as a headmaster and teacher, Johny taught various students who eventually became priests and one who became a bishop – His Grace Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan. Upon coming to America, Johny remained committed to the Church and served as treasurer and a committee member for several years at St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church of Baltimore, where he was a member for over 30 years.
Johny always showed concern and compassion for those less fortunate. While in Kerala, Johny was the founder of an organization, under the supervision of his home parish, that provided support to needy children when local schools could not provide assistance. He continued to show this passion for the less fortunate and for the importance of education throughout the remainder of his life and instilled these values into his children.
His family and friends remember Johny as someone who loved to garden. He would love to show visitors the flowers and vegetables he would grow in the backyard and would always have produce to share with others. He was also known for his passion for politics. He could strike a conversation for hours, to anyone he knew, about the latest current events.
Johny passed away unexpectedly on November 20th, 2020. He is survived by his son Lijo John and daughter Liny John, along with his two brothers John V. Mathew (Aniyan) and John V. Rajan (Rajan), and several nieces and nephews. While we mourn his passing and will miss him dearly, we rejoice that he is now resting in peace with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that he is reunited with the love of his life, his wife, Lizy.
The family received friends for the viewing on Monday, November 23, 2020. Video of that gathering may be viewed by following this link: https://youtu.be/EciaF4outJc
Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Videos of the services may be viewed by following this link: https://youtu.be/73axWBgBSDc
A committal service was held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Video of that service may be viewed by following this link: https://youtu.be/QSsI_oouXw0?t=8237
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18