John H. Lehman, proud veteran
John H. Lehman, 85 of Lewes, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born Nov. 27, 1937, in Media, Pa., son of the late Henry C. and Ruth C. (Bach) Lehman.
John was a graduate of William Penn High School in New Castle. He grew up in New Castle but spent many summers in Lewes with his grandparents, Charles and Lucrecia Lehman, at their home on Pilottown Road. A proud veteran, he honorably served in the U.S. Army Reserve and Guard for nearly 42 years from 1955-97, attaining the rank of CWO2. He was a proud member of the Lewes-based reserve center that provided transportation mission support with the large amphibious LARC-V and LARC-LX down at Cape Henlopen. Later he transitioned to the warrant officer ranks as a maintenance warrant, then finally attained his certification as a chief engineer for the Army tugboats out of Curtis Bay, Md.
He enjoyed an industrious career as a telephone lineman and engineer for Diamond State Telephone and Verizon, retiring in 1991. John was one of the original telephone linemen who worked in all weather, climbed the old wooden telephone poles with his climbing spikes and probably had a hand in most cable work in lower Delaware.
John was an avid lifelong woodworker. He had his own woodshop in his garage, and would often be found on the weekends and evenings working on his latest project. His creativity and generosity will live on for generations in his beautiful fine furniture which can be found in use throughout his family’s homes. Above all, he cherished time spent with those he held most dear.
He was a longtime member of the Freemasons, and Rotary and was a Past Master of Jefferson Lodge No. 15 in Lewes. John was a member of the Lewes Board of Public Works for many years and served on various committees at St. Peter's.
John had many accomplishments in his life, but none more rewarding than his time as a Boy Scout leader with Troop 1 in Lewes. He, along with many other great men of Lewes, led one of the most thriving Scout Troops in all of scouting. Affectionately given the nickname of “Yogi” by the scouts, he helped guide boys to become great leaders, men of character and successes in life. A few famous scout leader quotes that sum up Yogi’s impact on the young men of Troop 1 in the late ‘60s to ‘70s are, “An invaluable step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual,” “Loyalty is a feature in a boy’s character that inspires boundless hope.”
John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who will be genuinely missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Grace A. Lehman, in 2008; together they had two sons. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Anna Lou Lehman in 1985. John is survived by his beloved second wife, Vivian Lehman of Texas, and her children Sandra Low (David Low) of League City, Texas, Donna Martin (Thomas Martin) of League City, and Glen Bennett of Fife, Wash.; his two sons: John H. Lehman Jr. (Suk Hi Lehman) of Duluth, Ga., and David A. Lehman (Kelly G. Lehman) of Selbyville; his five grandchildren: Charles Lehman (Taeko Nezuka) and Samuel Lehman (Shakila Sharifi), both of Georgia, Sonya Verblaauw (Steven Verblaauw) of Virginia, Braeden Lehman and Carter Lehman, both of Delaware; and his nine great-grandchildren: Mason and Hugo Lehman, both of Georgia, Noah and Zayn Lehman, both of Georgia, and Grace, Chloe, Joy, Jane and Peter Verblaauw, all of Virginia.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17, at Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. Masonic Funeral Rites will be performed at 6 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 200 S. Second St., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. A public reception at St. Peter’s vestry will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org/?form=alz_donate, or a local hospice.
Visit Mr. Lehman's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
