John M. Bilansky

John M. Bilansky, age 78, passed away Wednesday morning August 6th at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas with his family by his side. He was born on September 11,1946 on his father's birthday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to John and Nora Bilansky. John was the oldest and big brother to his four (4) siblings.

John grew up to value achievement through hard work and looking out for his family and friends. He graduated in 1964 from Pulaski High School and entered the military (Marines). After his first tour in Vietnam, he volunteered for a second tour in lieu of his younger brother, James. John served with honor and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Good Conduct Medal Period Commences.

In June 1969, John met Jodi Gale. Love blossomed quickly and they were married in June 1970, residing in Madison, Wisconsin where John began his apparel career with Oshkosh B'Gosh. A few years later changing companies he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. This was the first of several corporate moves as well as St. Charles, Illinois, Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Danville, California with the VF Corporation (Lee Jean's Division) as a regional manager. John was known for his unwavering reliability, follow-through, and tremendous heart. He made lasting friendships with each move. His last corporate move was to Plano, Texas where he later "retired". Retiring lasted less than a couple of years. He completed a real-estate license and later had an opportunity to join H&R Block as a manager and tax professional. He loved every moment of being part of the H&R Block team.

John and Jodi's son, Brent, was his pride and joy and brought him much happiness. He and Brent shared a passion and adventure for water sports, swimming, and diving. Together John and Brent experienced cave diving, wreck diving, open water diving, deep diving and night diving while traveling in Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean and other parts of the country.

John was a member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Men's Club where he enjoyed dealing for the Men's Club "Poker Party" fundraisers or playing cards with his friends. In his spare time, John liked reading historical biographies, socializing with friends, and swimming in the early morning at the health club and taking a "polar dip" in the pool in the winter! He had fond memories of hunting in Wisconsin with family members.

John is survived by his wife Jodi; son Brent; brothers George (Cathy), Ronald (Sam), Joseph, sister-in-law Dolly Gale, and brother-in-law Rick (Karin) Gale. He had many nieces and nephews that he cherished.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Nora Bilansky, his brother James, sister-in-law Barb Bilansky, his in-laws Bill and Ginny Gale, and brother-in-law Randy Gale,

There will be a mass to celebrate John's life at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 21, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Plano, Texas with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/, or K9’s for Warriors at: https://donate.k9sforwarriors.org/, or Cancer Research Foundation at: https://donate.cancer.org/, or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Building Fund at: Catholic Church, 2701 Piedra Dr., Plano, TX 75023