John ‘Ed’ Dempsey

Loving Husband to Dorothy

Father to Michael and Patty

Grandfather to Zachary, Samantha, Kyle, Christopher, & Alexander

Great Grandfather to Carter-Rae, Aiden, Grace, Charles Edward, & Zoey Noel

A true friend of so many more, who lived his life in the service of our Lord, finished his labors and entered into eternal life on May 14, 2026

He passed peacefully at home with his wife, son, and daughter present. He had been suffering since 2019 from Alzheimer’s disease with aphasia; the inability to find words. Therefore his story is told by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy.

Ed was born in Rochester, MN, in 1934. For his first 8 years, he lived on a farm in the rolling hills near Chatfield, MN, before the family moved into the city of Chatfield. Ed was always interested in how things worked, building his own motor bike, making things work, and fixing almost everything.

After high school, he attended a trade school in Minneapolis. Following graduation, he returned to Chatfield and worked in a garage. This is when he went on a blind date and met Dorothy in Austin, MN. Dorothy was so impressed with the close relative gatherings, birthdays, holidays, and church. There was always lots of food and card games. Before long, Ed and Dorothy got engaged.

Ed then got his draft notice. Instead of the army, he enlisted in the Air Force. After a year, Ed was assigned to Bermuda. He promised Dorothy an 18-month honeymoon in Bermuda. Dorothy said yes, and they got married.

They moved to Roswell, New Mexico, where Michael was born in 1960, and then to Colorado, where Patty was born in 1962. The family stayed in Colorado for 5 years, while Ed was sent to Vietnam and later Thailand. During his time off in Thailand, Ed worked with a chaplain, helped with mass, worked in an orphanage, and helped provide clean water. When Ed was transferred to Germany, the family was able to go with him. While there, they traveled and saw the many sights of Europe. They went to Italy, France, and their favorite, Austria. From there it was off to Kansas City, where Patty made First Communion, and Mike, Confirmation. Ed was assigned to Cold Bay, AK. The family stayed in Rochester, MN while Ed served his tour in Alaska. Ed moved around from place to place, creating power. Between each assignment, the family would stop in Minnesota to visit family.

The next move brought the family to Sacramento, CA, where they lived in base housing, while there, Ed built a color T.V. in the bedroom via mail – one part at a time – competing with his friend Phil Hancock. The family was ready to retire from the Air Force. They bought a house in Citrus Heights. But then came an assignment to Italy. They thought, “We like Italy,” and were off again. It was a great tour of duty. They traveled a lot; family and friends came to visit. They lived 30 miles from Venice, with the Alps in their windows.

They finally settled down, moving back to the house in Citrus Heights for the last time. However, Ed couldn’t stay retired. He got a job as a foreman for Folsom Dam, making power and controlling the water. For 18 years, Ed loved his work.

Even after his second retirement, Ed didn’t really slow down. He joined the Garden Club with Dorothy and became very involved, traveling all over California. Ed and Dorothy hosted confirmation classes at home together and were Eucharistic Ministers at the same church for over 40 years. Wherever he was and in everything he did, Ed was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and helper to all.