LADY LAKE, Fla. — Andrew Warner St. John,

the only deaf athlete ever to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks, died on April 2, 2022, in his Florida home, surrounded by his family.

Warner was born in Rogers, Ark., on January 23, 1936, to Jewel Thompson St. John and Warner St. John. At an early age, Warner was sent to Central Institute of the Deaf in St. Louis, Mo., to receive the best education possible. Reluctant to leave his family, he often unpacked his suitcase as his mother packed. At Central Institute, Warner learned lip reading and developed a speaking language, but never learned sign language.

He attended Pulaski Junior High and Little Rock Central High School. At Central High, football coach Wilson Matthews praised Warner saying “His hearing handicap seems to have endowed him with better eyesight and reflexes than the average player. He can’t be fooled. If a blade of grass moves, he is aware of it.” Matthews claimed that he put Warner opposite the opposing center and built the rest of the defense around him. While playing for the Central Tigers, Warner was selected as All State and All Southern defensive guard.

His dream of being a Razorback came true when he was awarded a scholarship to play football. Coach Jack Mitchell praised Warner as not only a fine football player, but also a man of highest morals and character. Warner played defense for the U of A for three years. He earned a B.A. degree from Memphis State University, the only deaf member of the graduating class of 1966. He also attended Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the nation’s top school for the deaf.

Warner was a physical education teacher and coach of football, basketball and track for 36 years at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Fla. He served as president of the Florida Association for the Deaf and was one of the pioneers in passing the American Sign Language law in the state. He was one of the founders of the Tri-County Association of the Deaf (TCAD) in The Villages, Florida. Warner will be remembered as a sweet and kind person who loved sports and was the number one Razorback and Boston Red Sox fan.

He is survived by his wife, Diane of The Villages, Fla., and his two children, Andy St. John and Peggy Ann St. John Wenger of Austin, Texas. He was the proud grandfather of Racheal Ann St. John Harper, Emma Jewel Wenger, and Thomas Leibig Wenger. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Peggy St. John White of Osceola, Ark.

Memorials may be sent to the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, Advancement Office, 207 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, Fla. 32084. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs-352-480-5959. Sentiments may be left online at www.baldwincremation.com.