It is with great sadness that the family of John Wiley Damon announces his death on August 28, 2024 at the age of 94. John was born to John Winn and Ruth Damon on November 2, 1929, just two days after the Stock Market crash that devastated the civilized world for 10 years.

John has lived a long and colorful life in Brazoria County, Texas. John is a fifth generation Damon and resident of this historic part of Texas. John's ancestors emigrated from Reading, England to Reading Massachusetts, in 1635. John's family began in Texas when Samuel Damon came to Texas in 1831. He was a pioneer and participant in the Texas Revolution, at the Siege of Bexar. Damon Mound, Damon, Texas was named for Samuel Damon.

John began his life in Damon, Texas and moved and grew up as an only child on his parents' ranch in Sweeny, Texas. John spent most of his days outdoors helping his father with the cattle, hunting, fishing and reading. These hobbies became lifelong passions that he would continue throughout his years.

John graduated from Sweeny High School in 1947, from there to Wharton Junior College and then joined the U.S. Navy with plans to return to Texas in pursuit of studying law and political science.

Tragically, John's father who had been a full-time rancher was out working cows and stepped from his horse and suffered a fatal heart attack March 25, 1949 at the age of 55 years old.  In order to save the family ranch and help his widowed mother, John received an Honorable discharge from the Navy.

John's educational plans were thwarted and he had to move home and step in to manage the ranch and became employed with Phillips Petroleum Company from 1950-1979. During this time John continued to work, ranch, care for his mother and pursue hopes, dreams, and adventures including meeting and marrying the love of his life, Virginia Lou Crawford on April 16, 1955. John built his first home in West Columbia with Virginia Lou's Dance Studio built right next door.

Many happy years and wonderful friends were enjoyed in West Columbia and the greater Brazoria County area.

John was always interested in American and Texas History and became involved in civic, county and state activities at an early age.

Some of John's activities throughout his long life include: 1954-2024- Oldest living member of the Texas Gun Collector Association ; 1957- 2024- Member of United Methodist Church, West Columbia, Texas; 1955-2024 -Masonic Lodge #1284 (Thirty-three-degree Mason) Received fifty-year pen in 2005;1961-1963 -Delegate: Texas Democratic State Convention; Interim Director of West Columbia National Bank; 1961-1967 -West Columbia City Council; 1977-2008- Columbia Cemetery Association member ; Former member of West Columbia Chamber of Commerce; West Columbia Lions Club; Angleton Rotary Club; 1987-1990 -The first Republican elected to Commissioner's Court as County Judge since Reconstruction; 1987-1990- Judicial Courses at U.T. Austin and Texas A&M, College Station, Texas; 1991-2017- Commissioner Brazos River Port Navigation District; 2001-2022- Trustee: Kitty Nash Groce Estate and Real Estate Investor and developer for more than five decades.

John always made time to give back to his community and society. John considered himself blessed with a loving wife and family that loved him. Damon had deep respect & honor for his family, friends, country and Texas. He instilled these virtues in his children and grandchildren. John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather to his kids and grandkids.

John loved spending time cooking, entertaining and traveling with family and friends. Damon loved telling stories and passed down many cherished memories to his children, grand-children and friends.

Many friends have expressed and considered John a true Texan/Southern gentleman as demonstrated by his character, wit, words, actions and passion for life.

John is preceded in death by his parents John Winn and Ruth Damon, his cherished wife of 55 years, Virgina Lou Crawford, his son-in law, Steven Franklin Walker. He is survived by his five children; son, John Wesley Damon; daughters, Diana Walker, Virginia (Ginny Kate) Shackelford/David, Shelley Damon, and Jonna Damon Woodburn; grandchildren Sally Kate Wooley/David, George Wiley Shackelford/ Leah, Molly Katharine Walker/Andy McEvoy; Samuel "Sam" Walker, Travis Damon Walker, and Sara Carder; great-grandchildren; Lila Kate, Clara & Kathryn Virginia Wooley; George, Jack & Camryn Shackelford, Maddie Koski & Mirabel Walker McEvoy.

Private graveside services for John were held on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Columbia Cemetery, West Columbia, Texas. Pallbearers were grandsons: George Wiley Shackelford of West Columbia; Samuel Steven Walker of Marfa, Texas; Travis Damon Walker of Alpine, Texas, P.T. Brunner of Sweeney, Texas and Paul Brunner of Sweeney, Texas. Grandson-in -law David Wooley of Iowa Colony, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John's honor to Columbia United Methodist Church or Columbia Historical Museum both located in West Columbia.