John Neil Lemon (age 85), beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and uncle, passed away Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. John was born in Spokane, Washington, on March 23, 1940, to John Joseph and Wanda (Tavares) Lemon. John spent his youth in Spokane, attending Finch Elementary, Havermale Middle School, and North Central High School, graduating in 1958. Upon graduating, he attended Spokane Community College’s Vocational and Technical school in 1961, where he trained as a mechanic and a machinist. John also served in the Army National Guard.

John was an accomplished swimmer, often summering at the family’s cabin on Diamond Lake, where he also enjoyed racing his pumpkin seed boat. John’s jobs as a youth included being a lifeguard and a jeweler’s assistant. John was also a talented saxophone player, and in 1957 was a founding member of the legendary Spokane ‘50s rock band, the Blue Jeans.

During his high school years, he met his future wife, Dorothy (Dot) Marie Tillman. John and Dot married in 1962. Their birth of their only child, son John, followed in 1963. Soon after, John and Dot moved to the Grays Harbor area. They would live in Aberdeen and Hoquiam for another 42 years, where John worked as a machinist, mechanic, and occasional welder for logging and construction equipment. Upon retiring in 2007, Dot and John returned to Spokane to be closer to their son and grandchildren.

John was artistic in nature, and good with his hands. He always had the radio on, loved to draw, and enjoyed working on cars. And he loved movies. Any movie, no matter how bad it was. But his true passion was cars. With a glance, he could identify any American car built before 1965. He also shared Dot’s rose growing hobby and often won awards for his creative and eye-catching flower arrangements. John had a wry wit and enjoyed comedy, dinner parties, playing cards and board games, and socializing with family and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and Dot, his wife of 52 years. He is survived by his son, John M. Lemon; two granddaughters, Freya and Lydia Lemon; sister Kathleen (Kim) Compton; and numerous nephews and nieces.

John’s family will host a private celebration of life in March 2026. If you wish to attend, please contact his son at 509-701-8866 for details.