John Robert Dalrymple, 77, died Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center with his wife at his side.  He had fought courageously to overcome a rare autoimmune disease affecting his lungs and kidneys.  John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda Blalock Dalrymple; son, John Taylor Dalrymple (fiancé Sami) of Wilmington; stepdaughter, Grier Holloway (Eric) and two grandsons, Chandler and CJ Holloway of Indianapolis, Indiana; brother, Richard N. Dalrymple, and sister, Judy D. Warf (Jack) of Sanford; brother-in-law, George Blalock Jr. (Julie) of Sneads Ferry; sister-in-law, Janet H. Dalrymple of Broadway; cousins Diane Dowd (Mike) of Sanford; Gary Batchelor (Cheryl) of New Hill; Barbara Ann Richardson of Aberdeen; and Ava Diaz of Broadway; as well as numerous nieces and a nephew.

Born in Lee County NC, he was the son of the late Gordon M. Dalrymple and Irene Taylor Dalrymple.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald G. Dalrymple; nephew, Mitchell W. Wade; cousins Mike Coley and Dale Jones.  John graduated from Sanford Central High School followed by Sanford Business College.  He later earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Western Carolina University then a Master of Science in Business Education from UNC-Greensboro.  After completing additional courses at UNC-Chapel Hill, he became a licensed Certified Public Accountant.  John was also a licensed NC real estate broker.  John spent over thirty years at Central Carolina Community College starting as an accounting instructor and retiring as the Vice President for Administrative Services.  He and his wife, Linda, met at the college and even shared the same office as instructors.  John, Linda and Taylor had a unique opportunity to live in Barcelona, Spain, for two years on a special educational assignment allowing them a wonderful living-abroad experience and the time to travel in European countries.

John was a passionate tennis player which continued until the year before his death.  He enjoyed singles and doubles and played in tournaments and leagues throughout the state.  After retirement, he worked parttime at the Althea Gibson Tennis Center at Empie Park in Wilmington.  One of his proudest years was helping coach Taylor’s Topsail High School tennis team and seeing Taylor play and win and the team capture the State Championship, the first for Topsail High.  If not on the tennis court, John could be seen surf fishing on Topsail and Lea Islands with his fishing buddies and relatives.  He loved catching and helping others hook red drum.  He even earned the name “Drum John.”  John was a die-hard Carolina fan but was willing to include Duke and NC State fans in his closest circle of friends.  We will all miss his physical presence but will never forget him in our hearts.

John’s desire was to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in many of his favorite places.  A celebration of his life will be held at a later time when we can safely gather as a group.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to:  CCA NC, 4809 Hargrove Road Suite 123, Raleigh, NC 27616; American Lung Association; or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.