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AMerican Veteran 11
Official Obituary of

John Dirrick Needs

November 11, 1956 ~ April 26, 2026 (age 69) 69 Years Old

John Needs Obituary

John Needs (69) of Anaheim, California, passed away from pancreatic cancer on April 26, 2026, in Orange, California.

John was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Harold Ernest Needs and Clara Elizabeth Needs.

He grew up and attended school in Cleveland, Ohio and Marietta, Ohio. He served in

the U.S. Marine Corps from 1974-1978. He also learned the heating and air

conditioning trade in the U.S. Marine Corps and received the Good Conduct Medal and

Rifle Marksman badge during this period of time.

John was preceded in death by his father, Harold; mother, Clara; and brother, Tom. He

is survived by his son, Adam Needs; brothers, Ernie Needs and Michael Needs; and

sister, Elizabeth Needs Tucholski, as well as his nieces and nephews. He is also

survived by his former wife, Sally Munson, who was a tremendous help to him in his

later years after his health started to fail. His caregiver, James Julien, was also very

helpful to John at this time and became a good friend.

John met Sally Cornair Munson in 1983 while attending an event at the Crystal

Cathedral. They later went on to get married and had a son together (Adam), who was

born in 1985. John enjoyed spending time with Adam when he was growing up and

enjoyed going to his baseball and soccer games.

John loved going to the movies, going out to eat, and enjoyed playing softball with his

work when he was younger. He liked watching the Anaheim Angels, Cincinnati Reds,

and Cleveland Browns sports teams. John was quite tall in stature (6’5”), and enjoyed

attending the Tall Club dances as well. He liked 1970’s Motown music and also Karen

Carpenter. John had a fondness for Marietta, Ohio, and his two aunts who resided there

—Aunt Bessie and Aunt Dutch. His favorite phrase that he used with a friendly tone,

when he learned something new from someone, was “Is that right?”

John became a follower of Jesus Christ while stationed with Marines in Hawaii. This is

something that really impacted his life. His faith was important to him and he was

baptized in the ocean while in Hawaii.

John’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

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