by Pearl Castillo
Photographer John DeLeon will be remembered for his dedication in preserving the history of the Fire Department. DeLeon passed away at the age of 66 on Tuesday, January 5, 2017. He retired in 2011 with over 37 years of service to the County.
DeLeon, a respected member of the Fire Department, had an appreciation for history and the archival process.
“He was a good friend, inviting and super knowledgeable of the Fire Department,” said photographer Douglas Morrison. “He taught me how to set up group shots, lighting and negatives. He was well known throughout the Department and he gave me an appreciation for the old ways.”
Photographer John DeLeon at work.
Morrison worked with DeLeon until his retirement. “When I was hired, I felt like I was intruding on the work environment that he created, disrupting his normal,” he added. “He made me feel comfortable, like I was part of the team and made me feel accepted… We got along well and I started to appreciate the things he knew. Being out of the Navy, I thought I knew more than he did, but he set me straight. I’m a better photographer because of him.”
DeLeon constantly reminded his co-workers that the work was endless. “It was important for him to share the history of the Department. And, at the same time, protect it and share it while keeping it safe,” Morrison added.
To get Morrison acquainted with the County, DeLeon assigned him to take photos of all the fire stations. He was able to photograph half of them, while the other half was handled by volunteers. “It felt overwhelming at first, but you need to see the diversity; you’re in the desert, the woods, the city, the ocean. It’s a good way to break a person in when you’re not from L.A,” recalled Morrison.
DeLeon was an asset to the Department. He helped organize the Photo Unit’s archive and even gave Phil Wilford of the Video Unit pointers in filming. “When I first came to video, we’d go out to different shoots and events. I watched how he would set up people to do a shot and he showed me how to compose shots. He taught me how to be a better videographer,” said Wilford.
Morrison and Wilford both recall DeLeon was an avid blues fan and always shared stories about his wife, sons and family.
“He’d look at pictures with his grandchildren and he would talk about them,” Wilford added. “He enjoyed his job and set the standard for photographers.”
DeLeon retired in 2011 after 37 years of County service.
His co-workers remember him for being a hard-worker. “He was very professional with what he did and took his job seriously. You could see that with what he did,” said Morrison. “I never took for granted the experience or anything that he’d teach me… This was John’s playground, and he handed it over to me.”
John DeLeon is survived by his wife and two sons.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and a funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at:
Rose Hills Memorial Park
Sky Rose Chapel
3888 Workman Mill Road, Gate 1
Whittier, CA 90601
Cards and letters are welcome and may be sent to:
The DeLeon Family
1304 Milam Place
Monterey Park, CA 91755
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