Obituary of John W. Potter

John William Potter, of Darien, CT died peacefully with his beloved family by his side on November 26, 2024 at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was 84.

A native of Rock Island, IL, John was born on July 2, 1940. He was a graduate of Rock Island High School and the University of Arizona. He married Julie Connell on Sept. 28, 1974. He was publisher of the Rock Island Argus, one of Illinois's oldest and continuously published daily newspapers. The Argus, together with WHBF TV and Radio, and other radio and cable television companies, were part of the family-owned Rock Island Broadcasting Co., of which he also served as an officer and director. Over the years, he was active and served on the boards of several organizations in Rock Island, including The Rock Island Bank and Chippiannock Cemetery. He loved gardening and was a life-long tennis fan and played competitively in his younger years.

After the sale of the newspaper in the late 1980s, John and Julie moved to New Canaan, CT, and a few years later, to Darien where they could live closer to their immediate family. They were devoted grandparents to their three grandsons. John rarely missed a ball game, swim meet, crew race or concert throughout the boys' high school and college years. A life-long Episcopalian, John served on the vestry and the buildings and grounds committee at St. Luke's Parish, Darien.

John is survived by his wife, Julie, with whom he celebrated their 50th anniversary in September; his daughter, the Rev. Dawn Stegelmann (Darien), and her three children, Kurt (Shelby), Bloomington, IN; Grant, New York, and Seth (Vanessa), Miami; former son-in-law, Murry Stegelmann (Boca Raton); a sister, Patty (Art) Renfro, (Rock Island); several cousins, nephews and a niece. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Aileen Potter, and a sister, Molly Hambacher.

A memorial service in thanksgiving for John's life will be held at St. Luke's Parish on Monday, Dec. 23, at 2 pm. The service also will be live-streamed on the parish's website, http://www.saintlukesdarien.org. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the parish. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Chippianock Cemetery, Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to St. Luke's Parish;  or  Person-to-Person.