John Deaton Vecchione

John Deaton Vecchione, 59, of Bassett, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 8, 2023 at his residence. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 12, 1964, to parents Casper and Ruth Vecchione. His parents named him after their Pastor, Dr. John Deaton. John was the youngest in his family and they lived in a section of Baltimore called Northwood. His parents sold their home in 1970 after they had purchased property in Monkton, Baltimore County, MD and built a rancher there. He loved his new home which was on several acres in the country and adjacent to the Gunpowder River. John attended Harford Christian School in nearby Harford County. During his high school years, he transferred to Hereford High School, a public school where he joined the track team and excelled. He participated in the annual Hereford Cross Country Invitational where track teams from many other high schools participated. It was thrilling to see him appear first coming over the hill and win the race with an easy lead. The Hereford crowd went wild with pride and joy.After high school, he joined the Army to train as a Green Beret and served honorably until a medical condition ended that opportunity.John was very musical and had an excellent singing voice. He enjoyed going to bluegrass gospel music events, as well as singing and listening to Opera. In August of 1999 at his nephew’s wedding reception, he sang with the live band “It’s a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. This was an impromptu performance and it was magnificent.John, lovingly referred to as a “Gentle Giant” by friends and family, was a very generous and kind person. His father, who was from Palermo, Sicily, was a self-proclaimed chef and was well known for his spaghetti sauce. With his Dad’s help with the making of the sauce, he initiated, organized, obtained the use of a church kitchen and hall, secured volunteers, and held an extremely successful fund-raising spaghetti dinner. All the proceeds went to a Marshall Arts Club that John had learned was badly in need of money.He was successful in obtaining a Class A Maryland Driver’s License which enabled him to drive a tractor-trailer as a vocation. He drove long distances to various states to make his deliveries. He was a trusted and reliable employee no matter his job. In his free time he also enjoyed watching college baseball and football.John loved to read and loved books by J.R. Tolkien and other authors of that genre. He also loved the Bible. His mother, a British war bride, raised John in the Christian faith and he adored her.John was predeceased by both his parents in 2012, and his brother, David, in 2022. He is survived by his brother, Michael, and sisters Diana, Christine, Cathy, and Franny (Frances). He is also survived by nephews and nieces as well as numerous great nephews and nieces. In addition, John is survived by his cherished friend, Krista Beeson, his devoted landlords, Fred and Frances Roach, and good friends, Judy and Johnny Via, as well as many others in the place he loved to call home over the last twelve years, Bassett, Virginia.A Military Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at Stanleytown’s Amazing Grace Baptist Church, 755 Fairystone Park Highway, Stanleytown, Virginia, with Dr. Greg Hodges officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or to the charity of your choice.Wright Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net.