John Newton “Jack” Dermit, Sr. of Port Lavaca, Texas passed away on June 30, 2018 at the age of 89. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia on October 31, 1928 to Andrew Melville Dermit, Sr. and Francis Blair Newton. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1946, where he ran on the track team and was a member of the school’s marching band. While he attended Charleston High, he met his future wife, Phyllis Randolph West. They married on February 15,1947 and spent almost 65 years together. Their early years together were spent in Charleston, where Jack worked first for DuPont, then the State of West Virginia and then at Union Carbide, where he worked for 45 years before retiring in 1996. While working for Union Carbide, he went to night school at Morris Harvey College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1960; after he was transferred from Charleston to Victoria, Texas in 1977, he became a Certified Industrial Hygienist. He also served in the Army during the Korean War, attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and was stationed at several locations across the country. He loved to play golf and could be found many weekends playing at Riverside Golf Course in Victoria.
After Phyllis passed away in 2010, he found new joy in life when he met and married Rosie Whitcomb in 2011, with whom he spent his remaining years traveling the world and devoting lots of time at the First United Methodist Church. He was always happiest when he was surrounded by family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Phyllis, half-brother Andrew M. Dermit, Jr. and a nephew, Frederick M. Logan.
He is survived by his wife Rosie, his four sons: John N. Dermit Jr. of Katy, Charles R. Dermit (Sherrie) of Victoria, Stephen D. Dermit and Mark K. Dermit, both of Austin; step-daughters Anna Goodman and Katy (Greg) Fojt, both of Port Lavaca ; grandchildren Jennifer Baker, Damon Baker (Kristy) and Phyllis Heintschel (Willie) all of Victoria, John N. Dermit III (Veronica), and Blair M. Dermit of Houston, Justin W. Dermit of Tyler; Samantha, Savannah, Tommy, and David Woodward and Faith Fojt all of Port Lavaca, and great-grandchildren Kaitlyn A. Dermit, Jessica R. Mayfield, Ashton R. Baker, Emajyn J. Baker, Jonathan M. Dermit and Isabella M. Dermit. He is also survived by his half-sister Joy Dermit Perkins and her children Schatzie Culbreth and Jimmy Darley, half sister Carol Sue Dermit Banks and children Samantha Banks and Charlie Banks Jr., sister-in-law Mary W. Brenan of West Palm Beach, Fl. as well as two nephews, Roger Logan of Kentucky and David Logan of Virginia, and niece Cynthia M. Shepler of Fort Worth.
Jack was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Victoria for many years before joining the First United Methodist Church in Port Lavaca.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Port Lavaca on July 14, 2018 at 10:00AM.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Port Lavaca or the Hospice of South Texas.
