John Dee

John Francis Dee, formerly known as John Tembrina Dy, was born on September 29, 1941 in Rosales, Pangasinan, Philippines. He passed away from cancer in Ingalls Memorial Hospital on January 31, 2021 alongside his children.

In 1971, John emigrated from the Philippines to the United States in pursuits of a career in martial arts after receiving his bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Sancti Thomae and a second bachelor degree in Law from the University of Saint Louis in Baguio City, Philippines. John became a US citizen in September, 1978. John first learned martial arts from his father Francisco Dy-Seng in the Philippines. Mastering the arts was very important to John. John opened his martial art studio in the Chicagoland area and had many followers. Students remember John as a good mentor, selfless and a devoted teacher. Many students from the neighborhood were in search of someone to look up to. John impacted those in need to stay on a straight path by teaching them life skills and self-worth. "Most people had Michael Jordan as a role model, I had a better one, John Dee" quote from Matt Dean, a former student. John wore many hats, he was a famous disc jockey in the Philippines, martial art teacher, been in movies, a hair dresser, an artist, a photographer, and a CDL bus driver (Top of my class! John humorously proclaimed). John lived a multifaceted life. No, John was not perfect, but who in this world is? While John's dream was broken by his weaknesses, something was shining through. It was "treasure" - the treasure was all his children. Please focus on the good memories. John is a father to seventeen children and grandfather to many. He loved t hem with all his heart and was very proud of the accomplishments.

John will be remembered for his artistic talent, determination, generosity, selflessness, and a sense of humor.

John was preceded in death by his father and mother, the late Francisco Dy-Seng and Benita Tembrina Dy, his sister, the late Zorahaida, his brothers, the late Juley and James, his son, the late Marcus. He was survived by his sisters, Luzonia and Estela, his sons, Mardini, Sean, Mark, John, Michael, John F., Maharlika, Shintaro and Makaio, his daughters, Anna, Maria, Diana, Candice, Alexis, Emerald and Kitara, his grandchildren, Kamille, Keegan, Kaiden, Kyrus, Nora, Nathan, Jaiden, Maelyn, Malia, Lazar, Rafael, and Kanani, and his great-grandchildren, Aven James and June Annmarie.

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