John Joseph Delcoure

December 14, 1943- July 29, 2017

John Delcoure- Dad, Uncle Johnny, Big John, Garage Manager, Johnny Magnum, Johnny Dundee, Cowboy Johnny, Jolene, Steampunk Johnny, Johnny Wildfoot- he was someone to everyone and everything to his family and friends. The magician behind the camera, the one who instilled the love of music, dancing, foosball and all things adventure into our hearts- sadly passed away at his home in Riverside, California on Saturday July 29th, at the age of 73.

John was an energetic, fun-loving, hilarious and gentle soul who touched the hearts of many throughout his lifetime. He is survived by his children, Christopher Delcoure, Kerise Delcoure and Desiree Delcoure, his sisters Dottie Delcoure, Diane Baker and Marlene Delcoure Swensen, and his extended family.

Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1943, John was the youngest of four children. Growing up, his big sister Dottie, aka “Big Shoobie,” loved dressing her little brother up in clothes that were hand made by their mother, and taking him out to show him off. When reflecting on his life, John said his all-time favorite age was ten years old- when his world was so big and magical and full of things to discover.

In 1952, the Delcoure family piled into their new Pontiac and headed west on Route 66, settling in Long Beach, California. The Delcoure children attended Long Beach Poly High School, where life was full of teenage mischief, sports, drama, adventures and more! It was in high school that John found his natural talent for running track and cross-country,  which he sort of stumbled into,  because he really wanted to be a football player. When John showed up to football try-outs, the coach told him that he was too small and that he should join the cross-country team instead. And so he went on to have a very successful high school track and cross-country career. Although small in stature, John proved to have a great big heart. 

After high school, John went on to study Photography at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara. He later moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where he built a professional photography studio, “Delcoure Photography,” and started a family. 

John was a playful, goofy and loving father with a great deal of energy for his kids. Epic games of Frisbee, Battleship, foosball, and all-night  “Monster Madness” [extreme hide-and-seek] are amongst some of the family’s favorite memories. John’s three children spent their summers with him, embarking on unforgettable adventures across southern Oregon and northern California- exploring, camping, rafting, swimming, hiking and climbing. 

John believed that these experiences would foster in his children a strong sense of identity, self-confidence, spirituality and a love for nature. John and his children were truly wild at heart and were sometimes referred to as “The Wilderness Family.”  These early adventures would later inspire John and his family to travel together across America and overseas to Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.

After a 25-year career running his photography business in Oregon, John returned to southern California, where he worked in the trade show business with his sister, Marlene and his niece, Beth. This is where John quickly gained the nicknames and persona of “Uncle Johnny” and the “Garage Manager.”  In his retirement, John moved to Bishop, California to photograph the stunning scenery of the Eastern Sierra Nevada region. 

John was a passionate photographer who described himself as a “vagabond, subject to movement and exploration.” Frame by frame, he captured the world as he saw it and the way he lived it- one exquisite moment at a time. With his passing, John left behind a lifetime of photographs, out of which emerges a marvellous collective portrait of a beautiful father, brother, friend, artist, teacher and human being.

John lived life abundantly, with his heart as his compass. His unique imagination, insight and sense of wonder led him to ask questions, seek knowledge and truth, make art and share ideas throughout his lifetime. He was a student driven by an innate curiosity and awe for life, the world, the universe and the unknown.

John’s love of music and dancing was contagious. Dressed in his Akubra hat, sunglasses and worn-out leather sandals, his high-energy dance moves inspired crowds of people to follow his lead on the dance floor. In honour of Johnny, we his family, invite all who knew him to crack open a beer, put on your best hat and boogie on down to your favorite dancing tunes. We know that right now he is doing the same in that special place in the sky, pointer fingers out, “Walking on a Dream.” 

“Johnny’s Send-off” will be held on Sunday August 27th in Los Alamitos. For more information, please email johnnys.sendoff@gmail.com.

Our family extends very special thank you to the Kaiser Hospice team in Riverside, for their loving care and support.