Obituary: John Paul Dee

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

John Dee, 57, a resident of Jacobsville passed away unexpectedly on November 14, 2023 in Rochester, MN while undergoing evaluation for a heart transplant.

He is survived by: His Wife Nora, daughter Grace, Brother Jim Dee of Houghton, Sister Jeni Sumner of Goltry, OK, Aunt Susan (Dave) Klebbe Cary, IL, Mother in law: Nancy Anderson of Fort Gratiot MI, Mother in law: Sue Anderson of Burtchville, MI, Brothers in law: Joel (Tammi) of Port Huron MI, Jeff (Linda) Anderson of Lakeport, MI several nieces, nephews, cousins and all of his Snow Central family.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Online condolences can be left for the family at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com. A celebration of John Dee’s life will be held in the summer of 2024. In lieu of expressions of sympathy memorials may be given to Copper Country Humane Society 501 Nara Park Road Houghton, MI 49931.

John was born in Chicago, IL on June 13, 1966, he was the son of the late Edward and Joan (Schmidt) Dee. John was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois and graduated from Maine East High School. As a child John loved the snow. He recalls looking out at night watching the snowflakes through a beam of light, wishing it would never stop.

After High School John attended the University of Wyoming, he took his first class in meteorology and knew he had found his passion. John later transferred to Purdue University where he received his Bachelor of Meteorology.

John spent a year in Washington DC working for the National Weather Service, then spent the next 25 years as a private Meteorologist at the company he founded, Global Weather Monitoring. During that time he provided global forecasts for commodity traders.

In 1999 John relocated to his beloved Keweenaw. He truly appreciated the beauty, landscape, and all seasons of the Keweenaw Peninsula. It was at this time he began journaling and providing a local forecast online through his website, www.johndee.com. The website portrayed his passion for snow and recreational sport, and was a place for snow lovers like himself to gather. Due to the popularity of his website, he was able to start the Make A Wish John Dee snowmobile ride in. John organized the Ride In for 10 years annually, raising over $100,000 in donations for the Make A Wish Foundation.

John served as President to the Keweenaw Trail Services, working to keep trails open and maintained, organized volunteer groups, and was instrumental in bringing many winter visitors to the area.

John spent many years on local radio stations 102.3 and 93.5, providing daily weather forecasts and jovial commentary. He loved being able to share his knowledge and excitement of the weather, especially snowfall forecasts with the people of the Keweenaw.

While studying weather conditions in the U.P, John noticed a particular weather pattern over Bayfield, WI that inundated the Keweenaw with massive snowfall- he named it a “Bayfield Bomber”. Meteorologists use this term today.

In 2002 John met his best friend and love of his life, Nora, and they were married on October 9, 2004. John and Nora were a true love story and there was nothing more in life John loved than his family.

On August 4, 2009 John became a father to his precious daughter Grace Elizabeth June. The two were best of friends; sharing their love of adventure, star wars, and the Zach Brown band.

John loved nature, a walk in the woods with his dogs, a swim in Lake Superior, and a belly laugh with friends. He saw everyday as a gift, and lived life to the fullest.

John was a giver, a humble man who could make you feel at ease with his smile and kindness. He was a man who wore many hats in his life……woodworker, snow lover, Keweenaw Ambassador, a snowmobile “legend”, Rev. Snowflake, but the title he loved best was husband and father.

Good Night from the Keweenaw – JD