John William Church passed away unexpectedly August 8, 2017 after spending his life giving his heart to others. John was born in Olean, New York to the late Robert and Ann Church. He was the fourth born of six children – of whom he was the favorite. John attended Fort Worth schools and later graduated from the University of Texas in Arlington. John was a beloved husband and father, great friend, and extraordinary teacher and coach. He was known for making the worst puns, grilling the best burgers, teaching and pushing you to be your very best, learning to dab, catching the smallest fish in the pond but telling the biggest fish story anyway, loving animals and kids, falling asleep everywhere, posting one liners, knowing a back road to get anywhere and still managing to be late, and always making life fun. John is survived by his wife, Robbin and their children Sean and Katherine and his siblings and their spouses Jim Church, Charles and Susan Church, David and Kim Church, David and Alice Weeks and Terry and Elizabeth Seth as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. The memorial service will be held at Aledo United Methodist Church on August 12 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Southwest High School Cross Country Team. Donations can be sent to Southwest High School at 4100 Alta Mesa, Fort Worth, TX 76133, Attn: Financial Secretary, designating ‘In memory of John Church’ on the memo line.
22 Responses
Love and prayers for you and family
It is with a heavy heart I write this note. Ann and I were blessed to have you as neighbors many years ago. Our friendship grew quickly and loved all the time we spent together.
John touched many lives, and his legacy will be felt for many years to come in the hearts of his students, and to all that knew him. I know I am a better person because our paths joined, even if it were for only a few short years.
God Bless you John. You are a hero.
I’ll never forget John’s goofy sense of humor, especially when eating Mu Shu chicken! Love and prayers to Robbin, Sean, and Katie.
Robbin, I’m so sorry about John’s passing. He was a gentle giant, a kind man who would do anything for you. I’m going to miss seeing him work out in the yard, or at our gatherings, sleeping in the most comfortable chair! Please know that you all are in our prayers!
May you sing with the Angels. . Praying for your love ones! Especially Robbin,, Katy and Sean!
Dear Robbin,
I am truly sorry to read about your loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful children.
God Bless,
Larry Padget
Prayers up for the family at this tough time. Coach Church was my JV coach and assistant varsity coach. I learned so much from him. He pushed me to be a better player and person. So many great memories from early morning practices. He even had me doing cross country. RIP Coach Church
You will be missed!!
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember John running with Katie on the soccer field when she and Conner played together many, many years ago. He was such a wonderful person.
Our prayers are with you and your family. May the love you shared with him help give you the strength to see you through this difficult time. Much love dear friend.
so sorry for your loss . he was an awesome teacher .
I am so very sorry for your loss!! Sending prayers and love to each of you.
David and family, prayers for all of you as you walk through this difficult time.
What an incredible legacy! What a wonderful example! What a great man, husband, father. You were blessed to be his brother and vice versa.
Much love,
Nancy Cason
Coach Church was a supportive colleague, a dedicated coach, and most of all, a kind and caring man. Students know when teachers care about them, and these are the teachers that make school a good place for them to be. He will be greatly missed and remembered fondly by many. Wishing his family peace and comfort in this most difficult of times.
Coach Church will be missed dearly. He was an awesome and funny coach. My prayers are with his family.
Coach Church will always and forever be in our hearts. We love you, rest easy now.
As a very long time ago student and short time athlete of Coach Church, I can say I know he touched the hearts of more students than he probably ever knew. My youngest sister had the privilege of running for him at Southwest and still kept in touch with him as she became a cross country coach. His legacy most definetly lives on through her as I know it does through many others. Prayers go up for his wife and children. We’ll never forget you Coach Church ❤
Coach Church I tell my kids about you all the time…How you changed my life the very 1st day I stepped foot in your gym class in 6th grade. You believed in me and cared for so many. You were more than just a teacher/coach but a second father, brother, best friend to most. I am gonna miss you. Thank you for everything. I will keep all your family in prayer including the SHS one as well…Love you coach
Robbin Church sorry for the loss of your beloved husband Katy and Sean I am truly sorry for your loss of awesome father..we will continue to pray for you.
To all of the Church family.
Prayers for peace and comfort and may all those he loved and that loved him find support in sharing more of the very things that made him so loved. I hadn’t seen John in many years but his smile in the many pictures is as contagious as ever.
Dear Robbin,
I was so sorry to hear about your husband. I am praying for peace for you and your family. When my mother passed away, I received a card that said … death is like turning out the lights because the DAWN has arrived. I read it over many times in the weeks that followed, may it bring you the peace I found reading it.
Though I met the Coach but once, I see his loving legacy passed on to my daughter Coach Laura Brennan and I’m sure to many others. Coach Brennan is committed to carrying on the coaching style she found so inspiring and valuable in her mentor. I have seen first hand the hundreds of kids in whose lives she is already making a difference as she passes on to another generation what she has received. Surely a life to celebrate!
Robin ,Sean & katie,
So sorry to hear of Coach’s passing. He coached 3 of my kids Shane,Lori May, and Jake. Shane learned more from Coach Church he finally got him to come run for him his sophomore year ,One day Coach asked Shane why are you here? He replied because my mom made me come. Coach put the “running fever”into my son’s detacation & detamation to the sport. When he went to college he really liked his new coach at McMurray University. Coach Church taught every kid to live,and breath running. Not only that he taught the kids to be very humble. One of the fond memories I have was when Katie was little she wanted a beach swim Birthday party Shane & Kenneth drove out to make it happen they scooped sand for several hours placed it in back yard came home smiling they finally did something for Coach he was very selfless always thinking of everyone else. I as a parent looking from the outside in, seen how he taught these kids to belive they could do anything if they worked hard enough for it. He will be greatly missed by many many people. One last thing he did for the kids was to pick a nickname for them. He made the team a family not just a kid out there running. Rest in peace Coach…
One year after his death and he still has a tremendous influence in the community. Coach you will never be replaced and I will always love what you’ve done in your lifetime. Rest well Coach Church