After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dr. John Oliver Dimmock exited his earthly life and entered eternal life on December 16, 2024.
Born in Mineola, NY on November 24, 1936, John grew up on Long Island in the neighboring town of Garden City. After graduating from high school in 1954, he went on to attend Yale University in New Haven, CT. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1958 and immediately went on to pursue his PhD degree in Physics, graduating in the top of Yale class of 1962.
John was passionate about scientific research, learning, and teaching. He enjoyed several employers throughout his illustrious career, not because he was seeking employment but because he was being sought after. He held numerous mid and high management positions during his career. He succeeded at Raytheon, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Lincoln Laboratory), Office of Naval Research, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and McDonnell Douglas. Lastly, he came to the University of Alabama in Huntsville where he was Director of the Center for Applied Optics and Professor of Physics. Always up for a challenge, he eagerly accepted new opportunities when offered and always loved what he was doing.
Over the span of his career, John secured three patents and published over one hundred professional publications including one book and ten book chapters. John received many commendations and awards over the years. Of particular significance were the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award and the Senior Executive Service Bonus Award (six times), while working for the US Government to name a few. He was a Fellow of the American Physical Society, Senior Member of the IEEE, Associate Fellow of AIAA, Member of Sigma Xi, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In addition, he was a member of the Huntsville Immigration Initiative and taught adult education at his church.
John was a passionate nature lover and enjoyed anything outdoors. Hiking was his favorite activity. He also cherished trips to the beach as well as to the mountains since he was an expert snow skier and an accomplished swimmer/lifeguard. He was an avid reader, a voracious learner, a bible scholar, and had a deep love for music, which included playing the piano and singing in the church choir. He was a staunch advocate for social justice, as evidenced by his lifetime/working membership in the NAACP; tutoring disadvantaged students; serving on the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Mission Service; and ministering as Justice & Peace Coordinator representing the Society of the Divine Savior in the US for seven years, focusing primarily on the issues of Immigration, Anti-Human Trafficking, and the Plight of Children and Teens. He was heavily involved in bringing attention to the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama and designed a semester long series, along with a team of members from UAH and Alabama A&M, to which many top leaders in the movement, including the late Congressman John Lewis, were invited to speak.
John is survived by his best friend and wife, Linda Renick Dimmock; two daughters, Leanne Dimmock Jolin (husband Scott) and Cynthia Dimmock Carr (husband, Paul); three sons, John Christopher Dimmock (wife, Sue), Justin Oliver Dimmock (wife, Leann), and James Robert Dimmock; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and his favorite cousin, Joanne Naylor (husband, John). He was predeceased by his parents, Clarence Oliver Dimmock and Eleanor Stevens Waste Dimmock and son, Jonathan Charles Dimmock.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to John’s special caregiver and nurse, Bridgette Jones, who treated John in her home for the last year as her own, with love, kindness, and respect. She created a peaceful and compassionate environment as he transitioned from this life to the next.
Services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2300 Beasley Ave. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816, on Saturday, December 21st, with Visitation from 1pm to 2pm, Memorial Mass at 2pm, followed by internment in the Columbarium at St. Joseph’s.
Donations in memory of John may be made to: Safe Water for Life and Dignity, c/o Society of the Divine Savior Mission Office, 1735 N. Hi Mount Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53208 or Holy Family School Capital Campaign, 2300 Beasley Ave. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816.
Berryhill Funeral Home assisted the family.
