John George Jeffrey, 90, of Irving Texas passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026, at Avalon Memory Care in Irving.

Born at St. Catherine's hospital, East Chicago, Illinois to Jack Cassels Jeffrey and Rose Lucille Perrin on December 14, 1935, John soon embarked on a long period of travel and adventure with his family, moving back and forth across the United States, then to the Philippines and Japan. He graduated from Yokohama High School in 1955, then returned to Texas and graduated from Texas A&M in 1959, as a commissioned officer in the US Army.

After serving several years he met and married Therese Rogers, a career medical officer in the Army. They began a life of travel together during which he received an M.A. from Pratt Institute in New York. Together they raised two daughters.

He gathered lifelong friends wherever he went, many of whom shared his love of music and art. At a young age he could both whistle and play on his harmonica, complicated classical tunes. Blessed with a rich baritone voice and perfect pitch, he sang in church choirs, choruses and barbershop quartets. He taught art classes, painted, made lovely pottery and was known for a wonderful ability to recognize beauty and quality in craftsmanship and design, from the smallest tool to the perfect German car or the finest Italian wool.

Perhaps what was most remarkable about him was his unfailing good cheer and positive view of the future. No matter how difficult the circumstances, with his enormous energy and creativity, he could imagine a bright future full of joy, surrounded by those he loved.

He is survived by his children Julie Wells and Heidi Maher (Kevin), seven grandchildren Tori Briscolino (Alex), Eamon, Seamus, Finn, Molly, Maggie and Ciaran (Keke), two great grandchildren, Bennett and Reagan, his sister Jill de Alvarez (Leo Paul) and his nieces and nephews Claire, Michael, Jack, Bret and Heather.

A graveside service will be held at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 8, 2026. With full military honor will be presented  by the US Army