JOHN F. DUMBRILL
Dec. 6, 1932–Dec. 26, 2023
John Fletching Dumbrill of Santa Rosa, California, passed peacefully on Dec. 26, 2023, at the age of 91.
He was born in Upton, Wyoming, on Dec. 6, 1932, to Harold and Frances Dumbrill. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia A. Dumbrill, and his third wife, Sally Fife. Additionally, he was preceded by his father, Harold R. Dumbrill; mother, Frances F. Dumbrill; brother, Richard Dumbrill; and sisters, Phyllis Williams and Mary Pringle.
John served in the U. S. Army as an Infantry Unit Commander and an instructor from 1954-1956. He attended the Art Students League of New York, New York, and earned a tuition scholarship to the University of Wyoming where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954 and his Master of Arts degree in 1957.
He was a life-long artist and taught art at Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio; University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming; Laramie County Community College and Carey Junior High School in Cheyenne; and Aurora Central High School in Aurora, Colorado.
He was also a civil rights activist with the Cheyenne Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and with groups fighting for the rights of Native Americans. He was a life-long teacher of art and philosophy. He will always be remembered as a devoted father, husband, and lover of nature.
He is survived by his sons, Daniel Dumbrill (Stephanie) of Santa Rosa, and Kenneth Dumbrill of Santa Rosa; daughters, Sia Davis (John) of Denver, Colorado, Tahirih Solomon (Roderic) of Stafford, Virginia, and Taruh Dumbrill of Florence, Arizona; grandchildren, Jonah Davis, Troi Davis, Noah Solomon, Aaronn Solomon, Shay Garcia; and great-granddaughter Devyn Davis; as well as many nieces and nephews, and his faithful friend, Cabo the Dog.
A celebration of life was held at the Dumbrill Ranch on Sunday, June 23, 2024, with more than 40 relatives and friends attending from nine states, including Hawaii. A Color Guard from Campbell County VFW performed Military Honors, with Doug Dumbrill playing Taps. Donations can be made to the animal rescue of your choice.
