John Wayne Vitopil of Wylie, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on April 19, 2023 at the age of 75. He was born on May 5, 1947 to Clarence J. and Viola Ondrasek Vitopil in Bryan, Texas. John graduated high school in 1965 from Stephen F. Austin in Bryan, Texas. He completed his undergrad education at Texas A&M University and earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University. John married Marcelle “Marcie” Pearson Vitopil on September 14, 1991 at Inglewood United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. John retired from LTV/Lockheed Martin after 30 years of service as a program manager.
After retiring, John spent hours reading science fiction novels and solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles, but he was happiest being outdoors. He was an avid gardener who loved cultivating many varieties of vegetables and roses. John also loved spending summers in Colorado, where he enjoyed fishing, rock hunting, and wood carving. Most importantly, he will be remembered as a gentle, kind, and loving man who will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
John is survived by his wife, Marcie of Wylie, Texas; stepson, Clint Pearson and wife, Holly of Murphy, Texas; granddaughter, Madison Beck and husband, Joseph of Edmond, Oklahoma; grandson, Blake Pearson and wife, Hannah of League City, Texas; sister, Shelley Palmos of College Station, Texas; niece, Amanda Lindeman and husband, John of Bedias, Texas; great niece, Lauren Reitmayer; nephew, Nicholas Palmos and wife, Rachael of Richardson, Texas; great niece, Ally; great nephew, Dillon; sister-in-law, Pat Moore of Grand Prairie, Texas; sister-in-law, Janice Caldwell of Muldrow, Oklahoma; and many other loving family and friends.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 5, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas. A one-hour visitation and viewing will occur prior at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, Texas.
Donations in memory of John may be made to any Veteran’s organization. John was proud to fly the American flag in honor of all who have served in the military, including his father and uncles.