John Thomas Fillmore

John Thomas Fillmore, 72, of Brainerd, passed away on January 5, 2024. Funeral services will take place at 11 AM on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Lakewood Church in Baxter, MN, with a visitation 9-11am prior to service. Interment will be at 1PM on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery (Camp Ripley) in Little Falls, MN.

John was born on February 10, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to George and Beverly (Dolan) Fillmore. He attended Central High School in Minneapolis before he enlisted in the US Marine Corp. John did two tours in Vietnam and then was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. After being discharged from the Marine Corp, John studied electrical, major appliances, and A/C repair. He installed welding machines and worked in robotics at Minneapolis Oxygen and later at Central McGowen where he retired after 14 years in 2013.  In retirement, John still enjoyed  working a few days a week as a Demonstrator at Costco. He was also proud to be a lifetime member of the VFW.

 John was married to Gail Lois (Carlson) Richards on October 2, 1993. He enjoyed spending time with his family, as well as camping, fishing, and country music festivals. John was an animal lover, especially of his fur babies Brin and Bingo. He also really enjoyed his time at the yearly fishing camp. John had a talent for giving people the perfect nickname. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

John is survived by his wife, Lois Fillmore; children Steven (Michael) Fillmore of Minneapolis, MN, Angella (Wyatt) Cekalla of Fort Ripley, MN, Tricia (Jon) Hasch of Brainerd, MN, Justin (Henny) Richards of Oxnard, CA; 7 grandchildren Tarrin Carter, Ashlee Carter, Gillian Richards, Julie Richards, Chelsey Richards, Brianna Richards, Brooke Richards; siblings Rick (Kathy ) Fillmore, Mark (Kelli Ringhofer) Nelson; many nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law Jan (Keith) Roberts and Shirley Cook; brothers-in-law Dale Carlson and Doug Kaspar.

He was preceded in death by his father George Fillmore, mother Beverly Nelson, and stepfather Harold Nelson; brother-in-law Jeffrey Cook; and sisters-in-law Jean Kaspar and Judy Monasmith.

A special thank you to our caring neighbors Ryan and Sara Sarvie, the caring staff at Essentia St. Joes for all their care, especially staff in the ER, second floor, sixth floor, infusion staff, and Doctor Philip.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Brenny Family Funeral Chapel of Baxter.