On the morning of March 26, 2016, Johny passed away at home surrounded by family after his battle with liver cancer. He was 62 years old.

Johny was born November 4, 1953, in Oregon City, Oregon to Cathy Belgarde DePue and John S. Belgarde. He was the first born son.

Johny grew up a precocious active boy roaming the friendly woods and hills of Oregon City with his brothers and boyhood buddies. He was known by all in this close-knit community as Little Johny. He told us how his mom would arm the kids with salt shakers in the morning and see them again in the evening while they lived off the fresh vegetables in the many neighborhood gardens, easy pickings for hungry kids. He was an industrious boy who collected bottles and newspapers in his little red wagon to earn money for his first bicycle. Johny was a quick learner and hard worker who had a knack for fixing things working at an early age alongside his dad on home repairs, cars and airplanes. He had a special interest in Science and was thrilled with his first Chemistry set in 4th grade. Johny had an amazing intellect and read the entire set of encyclopedias in grade school.

Johny attended Madison High School in Portland, OR from 1967 – 1969 where he was an all-star wrestler with an outstanding win record. He transferred to Molalla High School and graduated in 1971. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 1971, only 17 years old. After boot camp Johny was shipped to Vietnam & Thailand where he worked on electronics and helicopter maintenance and was discharged in 1975.

Johny returned to the mainland after his military service and lived in Southern California. He married Diana Carman, and they had a daughter, Tina, in 1977. He then relocated to Oregon City and had a son, Brandon, in 1980. He rekindled his faith walk and met Pamela Paget at church in Vancouver in 1991. He married Pamela in 1992 and they had two daughters, Lisa Belgarde, 1993, and Rochelle Belgarde, 1996. Johny was very involved with his children and their activities: soccer coach, basketball coach, Assistant Boy Scout leader, Assistant Girl Scout leader. The family enjoyed annual beach trips and camping adventures in Central Oregon. The family unanimously chose to adopt their foster daughter, Madyson, at age 6 in 2014.

Johny worked as a journeyman electrician and upgraded large computer networks and installed all kinds of security systems. He was a voracious reader and inhaled all kinds of books, his favorite genre – science fiction. He loved involvement in various political movements and always had well-researched thoughtful opinions on issues and candidates.

Johny was preceded in death by his father, John S. Belgarde, and mother and step-father, Cathy DePue and Charles “Chuck” Depue. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Belgarde, and children, Tina Wernsing, Brandon Belgarde, Lisa Belgarde, Rochelle Belgarde, and Madyson Belgarde; numerous nieces and nephews and the rest of his extended family.

A graveside service will be held for Johny at Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery April 29, 2016, at 1PM. Reception will follow at the Kennedy School McMenamins. An outdoor BBQ/Bonfire will also be held in his honor at his brother, Rusty Depue’s, home in Oregon City the evening of April 29th.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
West 46th Street and 12th Ave.
One Intrepid Square
New York, NY 10036
www.fallenheroesfund.org