George J. John
February 7, 1925 — January 25, 2017
George Joseph John of Harlingen, Texas passed peacefully from this world on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 with his family at his side. He died of natural causes, at the age of 91.
George was born February 7, 1925 in Valentine, Nebraska, the son of Mr. A. John and Cecilia Dallal John, immigrants to the United States from Lebanon. He moved with his family to Harlingen, Texas at a very young age.
George was the youngest and last surviving of his siblings, with three older brothers, Philip, James, and William and two older sisters, Marie and Marguerite. He attended school in Harlingen, Texas, and graduated mid-year from Harlingen High School and joined with his brothers and sisters doing their parts in the war effort.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a waist gunner and radio operator on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He flew 38 missions over Europe, flying out of North Africa and Southern Italy.
After the war, George returned to Harlingen where he met and dated the love of his life Nancy Jane Watson. The two were married in 1952 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen. George and Nancy had two sons, Robert George John and Michael William John.
He enjoyed a successful career with a major electrical equipment and switchgear manufacturing company with whom he rose from salesman to Regional Vice President. During George’s advancement with the company, job responsibilities included opening international operations in Latin America and relocation from the Rio Grande Valley to Minneapolis, Minnesota, then to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, El Paso, TX, Kansas City, Kansas, Mexico City, Mexico and finally San Francisco, California.
He retired from his career and returned to the Rio Grande Valley in 1981, where he built homes, and with his son, Robert, opened and managed Mr. John’s Man’s Shop in Valle Vista Mall. George also directed the Harlingen Loaves and Fishes benevolent operation for a number of years. During this period of time, he was also involved with the Harlingen Rotary Club where he served in leadership roles from 1990 to 1994 and was twice named a Paul Harris Fellow. He also oversaw the construction of the St. Vincent De Paul store on W. Jackson in Harlingen.
George greatly enjoyed time playing golf and poker (choir practice) with his friends at Harlingen Country Club.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy Jane John (Watson) of Harlingen, Texas; his sons, Robert John of Harlingen, Texas and Michael John (Evon) of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Cassandra John of Harlingen, Texas, Anthony John (Kylie) of Princeton, Texas, Jessica John Harris (Ryan) of Castalian Springs, Tennessee, Kevin John of Bristol, Tennessee, and Lee John of Chattanooga, Tennessee; great grandchildren include the children of Jessica Harris, Jackson and Eva and another great grandchild, that of Anthony and Kylie John, due in June. George is also survived by a sister-in-law, Roberta John of Brownsville, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews, all deeply loved.
Preceding George in death are his brothers and sisters, Philip John, James John, Marie Grosse, Marguerite Mattar, and William John, and beloved cousin, Michael Jabbra.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 3, 2017 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s name to the Loaves and Fishes, 514 S. E. Street, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or a charity of your choice.
Special thanks to Dr. John Farris, Dr. Indal Seudeal, and the Palliative and Hospice Care Staff at Valley Baptist Medical Center led by Dr. James Castillo for assisting us with George’s care.
See you later, Alligator!