John L. Dobelbower, Jr.

John Lyon Dobelbower, Jr., 77, died on Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Waco, Texas. Born on October 20, 1946 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to the late John Lyon Dobelbower, Sr. and Virginia Arline Eckley Dobelbower. He grew up in Bellefonte, Levittown, and Ferliss Hills, Pennsylvania. When John was a teenager, he moved with his family to Zonguldak, Turkey. He graduated from high school at the George C. Marshall American School in Ankara, Turkey and Zonguldak College in Zonguldak, Turkey. Shortly after college, he returned to the United States and joined the United States Air Force. While stationed in the 456^th Bomb Wing at Beale Air Force Base, he met his first wife Joann Polney a native of Marysville-Yuba City, California and made many lifelong friends sharing in their love of hotrods. They would eventually marry, settle, and have two daughters, Julie and Patricia.

At the conclusion of their relationship, John moved to Waco, Texas where he met the love of his life, Brenda Joyce Gorham on Valentine’s Day 1971. They were married on June 23, 1979 in Waco, Texas. They would settle in Waco, Texas and have two children, Shannon and John.  John treasured his role as a husband and father never missing a single weekday lunch with Brenda or extracurricular activities for Shannon and John.  

John was successful in all his various jobs throughout his life. He worked in franchise development for much of his career with Success Motivation International, Leadership Management International, and the Dwyer Group helping aspiring entrepreneurs start thousands of businesses before eventually being medically retired.  Upon Brenda’s untimely passing, John married Sheila Lane, with whom he lived with for the remainder of his life.  John and Sheila shared a love of travel and went on many adventures together before his illness.

To all those who knew him, he was an excellent role model as a father, a husband, and a friend. He was completely devoted to his family and friends. His larger-than-life personality had a positive effect on everyone he encountered. John had numerous family and friends, and acted as a mentor for so many around him.

                John is preceded in death by his parents, sister Susan Jean Dobelbower Beaver, and loving wife Brenda Joyce Gorham Dobelbower. He is survived by his loving family and special friends. Survivors include his wife Sheila Lane Dobelbower; his children Julie Dobelbower Dean widow of Blake Dean, Patricia Dobelbower Baker married to Bruce Baker, Shannon Dobelbower Roberts married to Lt. Col. Evan Roberts, and John Ryan Dobelbower married to Bailey Lauren Dobelbower; his stepsons Weston Lane and Kalyn Lane; his grandchildren Ellery and Owen Roberts, Hadley, Knox, and Miles Dobelbower, and Lilly Lane; his brother-in-law Jim Beaver. A lifelong animal lover, he is also survived by his special pet, Leo.

                Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Waco Memorial Funeral Home, 7537 S. IH35, Robinson, TX 76706. Funeral services will be at held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11am at Waco Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor David Cozart officiating. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery immediately following. Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, gifts.mdanderson.org.