GREENFIELD, IN.
John Despot 91 of Greenfield, IN passed away March 25 in the care of hospice at Springhurst Health Campus. He was 91.
Born in Indianapolis October 23, 1929, to Dushan and Blanche (Lee) Despotovich, he was the youngest of five children. He married his high school sweetheart Shirley Ann Haines November 5, 1950. He celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at home with his wife, who survives.
Mr. Despot was a 1947 graduate of Indianapolis Washington High School and attended classes at Butler University before serving two years in the United States Army. He was stationed in Japan during the Korean War.
After working for a time during the 1950s as an auto mechanic, Mr. Despot entered the computer age on the ground floor during the early 1960s. He spent the remainder of his professional life as a data programming manager and retired from Gene B. Glick Property Management Company in 1992.
In subsequent years, he and his wife travelled extensively. Although they enjoyed trips to Europe, Hawaii and many other states, their favorite vacation spot was Gatlinburg, Tennessee, an area they returned to often.
An athlete in high school who played in amateur softball and bowling leagues during his early adulthood, Mr. Despot found his favorite sport in golf during mid-life. He and his wife were members of Hillview Country Club in Franklin for many years, and although he played on many courses around Central Indiana, Hillview was the place he returned to weekly with a standing foursome.
As a sports’ spectator, Mr. Despot was a lifelong “homer,” supporting local teams and individuals from Washington and Center Grove high schools, where his children attended, to all Indiana collegiate and professional athletes and organizations.
Throughout his life, though, nothing mattered more to Mr. Despot than his family and his faith. He was a member of Bluff Creek Christian Church, Greenwood, for decades, and more recently belonged to Greenfield Christian Church, Greenfield.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Despot is survived by children Debi (Don) Reed of New Palestine, IN, John (Treesa) Despot of White Bluff, Tennessee, Joann (Dale) Loftus of New Palestine, IN and Tom (Becky) Despot of Monterey, Indiana.
Also surviving are grandchildren Jessica Lankford, Monica Sanchez, Sara Despot, Zoe Dorsey, Darcy Despot, Rebecca Miles, Jacob Despot and Natalie Henderson; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Mr. Despot was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Violet Guynn, Thomas Despot, Helen Meko Petrovich and George Despot.
The Reverend Stan Icenogle will conduct a private family service that will be live-streamed for family and friends to connect on Monday at 10:30 A.M. at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/john-despot. Please use Firefox Internet or Google Chrome for optimal viewing. Burial with military honor conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard will be at Bluff Creek Cemetery in White River Township, Greenwood, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the Riley Children’s Foundation 30 South Meridian Street Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46204 or at www.rileykids.org.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
