I am trying to raise funds to help the widow of a fallen veteran who was one of my best friends for the last 40 years. John Phillip Dearing was that man. John was a true hero and had a heart as big as they come.

John passed away unexpectedly on July 6th. If you read directly from this honorable man's obituary, you will see how from an early age, John was captivated by the allure of flying machines, travel and motorcycles. He would ride his bike to the Ellensburg airport to watch the airplanes take-off and land. At the age of 14 he got a job with the local Honda motorcycle shop and worked as a mechanic. He used his earnings to take flying lessons and pursue his dreams of becoming an aviator. He obtained his first pilot license at age 17.

John's passion for flight did not end with fixed wing aircraft. He had a strong desire to fly helicopters. After graduating from Ellensburg high school in 1968, John joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18 to fulfill his desire. By the age of 19, he was a commissioned Chief Warrant Officer flying Cobra, Chinook, and Huey helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He honorably served a 13 month tour in Vietnam and then immediately re-enlisted for a second tour.

While serving in Vietnam near Phuoc Vinh, John was rewarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in action while engaged in air battle against a hostile force. During his two tours in Vietnam, John also was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star for heroism, and the Air Medal for heroism.

John loved to travel the world and would meet his current wife Jenny Su after ending up in the same tour group in Thailand in 2015. After a long courtship, they were married in 2022. He and Jenny have remained married until his recent passing.

Jenny is a wonderful Chinese lady and loved my friend John with all of her heart. Their marriage of only 3 years ended far to suddenly and she is heart broken and left in a big financial bind since John was the bread winner of their family. Unfortunately, John had taken out a large home mortgage the first of 2025 and now it has fallen on Jenny to either pay the large monthly payments or loose her only home. Although Jenny is trying to do the best that she can and is looking for work, she currently has to small of an income to pay the large mounting bills.

I am doing this fund raiser to try and help this lovely lady stay in her home and for the memory of a wonderful man who always helped anybody who ever was in need.