John Wayne Mcdermett

John Wayne McDermett, 71, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022. A visitation will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the Smith Family Funeral Homes at 304 N 2nd Street, Haskell, Texas.

John was born on April 19,1951 in Morton, Texas to Charles and Mildred McDermett. After high school he attended mortuary school and began his Funeral Director career when he moved to Haskell in the 1970's. He worked for Holden-McCauley Funeral Home until he began his career in politics. He became the youngest Haskell County Treasurer and then ran and won the County Judge seat. After retiring from politics, John received his Nursing Home Administrators license. He worked for many nursing homes around the state, including Haskell Health Care Center. John was very good at his job. He took over nursing centers that were in trouble and turned them into thriving homes. During all of this time he had a side job where he was a DJ at KVRP. Sunday mornings you could hear him playing some of the greatest hymns. He had a love for music and singing. He sang on many occasions with his favorite pianist, Elenor Blaum.

John is survived by his 2 daughters, Betsy and husband Bart, Lori and husband Dale all of Haskell; eight grandchildren, Phillip (Liz), Ty (Jessica), Crow, Cody, Kayce Lynn, Payden, Destiny and Grace; two great granddaughters, Presley and Ruby Jo; sister-in-law, Georgia McDermett of Navasota; two nieces, Jill Pardo of San Antonio and Kelly Bagby of Cedar Park.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mike McDermett.

Online condolences can be shared the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.