Jon Fouts

Delaware being Delaware many of you may already be aware of the passing of my father Jon Fouts on 12/26/22. He had a good day on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before passing on quietly and joining my mother and brother on the day following Christmas. In those last two days, he spent time with family, watched movies, listened to music, ate, played games, and drank beer. We were able to enjoy being together.

Jon Fouts was born 4/9/39 in Delaware, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his parents Alvah and Margaret Fouts, his wife Beth Ann Fouts, his son Tim Fouts, and his brother Jim Fouts. He is survived by his brother Jerry (Mary) Fouts and his sister Joyce (Rodney) Long. He is also survived by Don (April)Fouts his son, his other son Tad (Jill) Johnson, daughter in law Lisa Fouts and his grandchildren Kalee (Travis) Burkitt, Tyler, Megan, Morgan, Audrey, and Atticus Fouts.

He spent the majority of his life living in Delaware while also living in Gahanna and Orient Ohio. As a child, he grew up in Radnor, Ohio living near the popcorn factory and the train tracks. There, his mother and father would often take in the "hobos" that traveled on the boxcars providing them food and shelter. A tradition of caring for others passed onto him from his grandparents to his parents and subsequently passed on through my mother and father.

Dad as a young man in the country lived on a farm and enjoyed horses and later cars. He rode in rodeos and was in the demolition derby. He could tell you in detail about the many types of cars that he owned, and he belonged to a car club (The Satans). He enjoyed western literature (Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey), music (Chet Atkins and Johnny Cash), art (Frederic Remington and Charles Russell), movies (John Wayne) and television shows. He also enjoyed Broadway musicals, classical music, historical nonfiction, and documentaries on nature.

He and my mother graduated from Delaware in 1958. They did not start dating until several years after high school when they met again while chaperoning a high school dance next to The Strand theatre. They were married 7/1/1966. He was thrown in the pool at the reception making the marriage license unreadable from that day on. They were always in love.

He served in the Navy. He was a member of the Elks and the Moose. He belonged and served as president for both the Jaycees and the Delaware Athletic Boosters.

He enjoyed being at the beach (Alabama), golfing and fishing. He also enjoyed attending sporting events; often preferring high school events over college or professional. He only wore cowboy boots for many years until a doctor told him to stop. He liked working in the garage (piddling and puttering) and in the garden. He did not wear shorts. He could fix most things. He smoked Lucky Strikes. He hated potato salad and hot dogs. He loved seafood. He enjoyed playing practical jokes. He lost part of a finger repairing a vacuum cleaner. He did not like swimming. He would sing the Streets of Laredo to the grandchildren to quiet them when they were babies. He enjoyed the Hamburger Inn and liked pancakes and over easy eggs for breakfast or a cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate shake for lunch. He enjoyed teasing others. He drank beer but only if it was Miller Genuine Draft in a bottle. He enjoyed going to Elk Lake/Traverse City. He did not like hipsters. He was a good dancer, especially with my Mom as a partner. He made great pancakes, sausage gravy and biscuits. He enjoyed singing western songs, Broadway and Motown. He did not stop at a hotel or restaurant unless you needed gas when traveling. He broke his neck diving into a shallow lake. He gave successful CPR to a goldfish and a dog. He liked Corn Flakes for breakfast and bologna for lunch. He did not smile for pictures. He did not like high tech. He liked sitting in his recliner. He was thrown through the windshield of a boat. He wore my mom's necklace and slept with her nightgown after she died.

He told great stories and could often make you laugh.
He would open his home those who needed. He would travel long or short distances to help you, fix your car when the brakes gave out or bring you keys if you were locked out. He defended or fought for you.

He used his talents and gifts to help those that he could.
He was incredibly loyal to his family and friends.

He enjoyed many things.

He loved his family.

He did not want any calling hours or services. He wanted to be cremated and scattered where my mother's ashes were scattered.


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