Yohanes Dessalegn Gelete

Yohanes was born March 19, 1970 in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. He lived with his father Dessalegn Gelete, who served as a deacon in the Orthodox Church, his loving mother Adanech, and his 5 brothers. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and 2 brothers Yosef and Sisay. In his later teen years Yohanes taught reading in Ethiopia’s literacy campaign. He enjoyed soccer and reading and did well in school. He dreamed of becoming a fiction writer. After graduation he was sent on a scholarship for 7 years of study in Russia at the Oriol Pedagogical University.  There in 1992 he met his future wife, fellow student Ann Clever, from Breckenridge, Michigan. In 1996 they were married as Yohanes completed his degree in literature and teaching.

Yohanes lived with his wife in Indiana, moving in 2001 to the Baltimore region. The pair took up permanent residence in Catonsville in 2002. He worked for the Atco Corporation for 22 years.  For the last 16 years he drove daily tractor trailer routes for Atco, which he greatly enjoyed. Yohanes loved bluegrass and country music. He loved learning about Appalachian towns and culture and enjoyed concerts, especially at the Lurman Woodland Theater. Most of all he treasured his faith, his 2 sons and wife, and the gardens he so lovingly tended at their home.  Yohanes was a deeply kind, patient, and generous man, always ready to help others. He will be greatly missed.