John Dytko, age 82, passed away on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025.  John was born to John M and Mae Dytko in Chicago, IL on Aug. 10th 1942.  He moved to Tucson in 1960 with his parents and two younger brothers.  John served in the US Navy as an electrician from 1962-1966 aboard the USS Constellation Aircraft Carrier.  He was a member of the Seventh Fleet Operation in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War.  We always enjoyed hearing of the ports he visited,  the men he befriended and how when off duty he would lay in the large flight deck safety nets lining the edge of the ship just to look at the ocean and watch planes takeoff.  That was my dad, John, fun and ready for antics once the work was done.

John's work ethic and daring, free, and mischievous spirit shaped his next stages of life.  John was a prodigy, he possessed a uniquely creative talent as an artist.  John created one-of-a-kind pieces with just about any media he tried.  A real natural.  John was motivated by new ideas and challenges, he enjoyed designing and building just about anything.  In 1973 he and his wife Kathy opened a retail store in Tucson called "The Artistry" and eventually transitioned to sell wholesale decorative lighting and custom pieces across the country through "John Dytko Studio, Inc". John achieved his definition of career success, which was merging pleasure with "work". John did what he loved, and the love he put into his work resulted in a beautiful display of craftsmanship and specialized, skilled artwork to be enjoyed by many. He was at times bewildered by the admiration others had for his pieces, but you would see him just smile and shrug his shoulders.

Dads studio workshop was eventually located on his home property, and this is where neighbors, nephews, daughters and eventually grandchildren liked to hang out.  This "shop" is where many of them learned to weld, woodwork, or wire lighting pieces.  Dad's shop is where you could count on finding him and hearing him whistling a tune or playing music in between air compressor runs and hisses.  It was an exciting place, at home, and John was happy there.

John's most favorite and valued role, however, was being a dad of two daughters and "papa" of six grandchildren.  John always brought dedication, laughter, shenanigans, skilled hands, creative solutions, and moments of learning.   John mentored many over his years, he loved generously through giving time and that example will remain relevant far beyond his time with us.

John was survived by his daughters: Kimberley Ann Dytko (Cook); Karen Dytko Repola (Heady) and spouse, Joseph Repola;  grandchildren, E6 (Navy) Ryan M. Cook and spouse, Devin (Johnson) Cook, 1LT (Army) Blake W. Heady, Kailey A. Heady, Tyler J. Cook, Samuel J. Heady, Simon D. Cook, great grandson, Parker Cook; ex-spouse, Kathleen L. Mazel; brother, Gerry Dytko and his spouse Karlene Dytko, Nephews: Bob Dytko, David Dytko, Kelly Dytko and Gerrick Dytko.  John was preceded in death by his father, John M. Dytko, mother Domanica "Mae" (Fricina) Dytko; and brother, Jeffrey Dytko.

We will all surely miss seeing his smiling blue eyes, hearing new jokes, talking over coffee, and exploding with laughter at the poker table.

The immediate family will be having a private ceremony with a celebration of life to follow, open to all at the home of Bob Dytko, 7770 E. Linden St. in Tucson, on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11am.