John Wayne Blassingame, 96, of Wheelock, VT passed, peacefully, on Thursday, February 8th, 2024.

John was born on May 13th, 1927, in the town of Slaton, Texas. The youngest of eight children, he had an adventurous childhood. His mother, Pearl, moved the family from Texas to the San Francisco Valley of California in 1937. John remained in California for many years. After living in New Mexico for a bit he moved to Vermont.

John had many interests and passions. Greatest of his loves were his family, his service to his country, and his involvement with dowsing.

John was drafted into the Navy during his senior year of high school. He received his diploma while aboard ship. He served a year in the Navy at the end of World War II. At the start of the Korean War, he reenlisted in the Navy. He reached the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. While he held many positions while serving, his longest and proudest duty was in the Construction Battalion. After active-duty John remained in the Navy Reserve, serving his country for almost 40 years.

While working on a construction project on a Naval base John met a dowser. This man taught John how to locate underground water pipes and changed John's life. John became intrigued by dowsing, labyrinths, and all things metaphysical. He joined other dowsers involved with The American Society of Dowsers and was instrumental in starting the West Coast Dowsing Conference. He traveled to Vermont many times to participate in the American Society of Dowsers Convention. First in Danville, VT, and then in Lyndon, VT. He taught countless people how to dowse and there are well sites with his special touch all across the country. He was always overjoyed to share his love of dowsing.

While participating in dowsing conferences John met his wife, Gretchen. Friends for years, they were married on May 12th, 2001. In April of 2002 John's greatest blessing, his daughter Katie, was born. He was a proud Dad and remained so until he passed.

John is survived by his wife, Gretchen, and daughter, Katie, both of Wheelock, VT. He is also survived by sons: John Robert, Rodney, and Brian. He has many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren who remember him with fondness as he brought joy wherever he went.

He is predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy. All of his siblings have passed.

There will be a private burial service. The family will have a gathering in the summer of 2024.

To honor John's memory please consider making a donation to a nonprofit. Those that meant the most to John were The American Society of Dowsers, The Vermont Children's Theater, and The Meals On Wheels program.

John's family would like to thank the staff of the Grafton County Nursing Home for the wonderful care John received in the last months of his life.