John Baptiste Didier, Jr. was born on December 22, 1937 in New Roads, LA, and passed into his eternal rest on December 25, 2024 . . . accompanied through his last moments by his loving wife of 66 years, Betty Lou (Robbins) Didier. John was a man of strong faith and values. His brilliance as a chemical engineer and organizational leader was only surpassed by his wonderful support as a man, husband, brother, son, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. John was a proud LSU graduate and always passionate fan – Geaux Tigers! He was even more proud of the accomplishments of the five children, twelve grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren that resulted from his union with Betty, who he met before they started high school, and whose happiness and care was his most important goal in life. They enjoyed many ice cream dates as youngsters and oldsters and set the example for what a marriage partnership should be!
He loved cheering and supporting his descendants’ accomplishments in academics, sports, and theatre. Case in point – though almost deathly afraid of the water himself (despite having grown up in a house on stilts over a lake), he became a certified swim official and ran meets for his daughters’ teams. He was always excited to share about his oldest daughter’s first career one of the first female airline training captains and then as an educator, another daughter’s pioneering spirit to relocate to Denver and embrace her love of the great outdoors and as mother, and his other daughter’s work as a nurse and pharmaceutical researcher and accomplishments in triathlon. John was also proud that both his sons served as Naval Officers before having careers in industry.
John was pre-deceased by his sister Cecilia, and is survived by his wife, Betty, sister Mimi (Gerald) Guidroz, children Lou Didier (son Marc), Elaine (Robert) Bohn (daughters Megan (Brett), Amy, and Joyce), Sharyn (Stuart) Carder (sons Seth (Aubrey) and Sutton), Bryan (Jeremy) Didier (sons Noah, Theodore, Isaac, and Joshua; daughter Sophie), and Craig (Rasha) Didier (son Cayman).
Memorial tributes in lieu of flowers would be appreciated to Center of Hope Donate | centerofhopeinc (PO Box 3237, Wichita KS 67201; 316-267-3999) or the St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund (11000 Southwest Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67215; 316.524.0932).
Visitation: 9:00 AM; Rosary: 9:30 AM; Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 AM; Saturday, December 28, 2024, all at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 11000 West Southwest Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67215.
