JOHN ALLEN SEMANDER

1932-2021

John Allen Semander of Houston, Texas was born June 1, 1932. He passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at the age of 89. He was surrounded by his loving wife Nancy, son John Jr., daughter Sherry, and his most adored grandson, Nicholas. He leaves behind his loving family and countless friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas Zane and Lillian Adele Semander and brother Zane Edwin.

A native Houstonian, John started life at St. Joseph’s Hospital growing up in the Woodland Heights. He attended Travis, St Joseph’s, Hogg, Reagan, and the University of Houston receiving his Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He loved sports during his school days, playing baseball, football, track and he fought in the Golden Gloves. Further, he was involved in Boy Scouts, spending a month at Philmont Scout Ranch living off the land which he felt prepared him for his tour of duty in Korea. John elected to serve his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, as a Tank Commander. He made a tank landing on Iwo Jima in preparation for landing in Korea. He served in the 56 25th Infantry Division, later transferring to Korean Communications Zone (KComZ). He received numerous medals for his valor from his 20 months of service (1951– 1953). After serving overseas he married the love of his life, Nancy Ruth Wallbraun and would have celebrated 65 years of marriage on August 17, 2021. They were blessed with two wonderful children, John Jr. and Sherry and one terrific grandson Nicholas, bringing a lifetime of joy and fun to the family. His last 30 years of his working career were spent at Shell Oil Company. His love for volunteer work spanned from 1963 to the present, all focusing on the youth which included: Little League Baseball (where he was invited and honored to umpire in the 1970 Little League World Series), Houston Golf Association (especially the Junior Golf Program), Texas Golf Association, and United States Golf Association including Amateur Golf.

Friends are invited to a visitation and Trisagion Prayers on Sunday, August 1, 2021 from five until eight o’clock in the evening with Prayers at six o’clock (Approx. 15 min.) at BradshawCarter Funeral Home, 1734 W. Alabama St., in Houston. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 2, 2021 at ten o’clock in the morning at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd. in Houston. Immediately following the funeral service light refreshments will be served in the Martel Hall from eleven until half past twelve o’clock in the afternoon. Burial will take place at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street in Houston at one o’clock in the afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation in John’s memory to the following organizations which were very dear to John’s heart: HONOR FLIGHT HOUSTON, www. honorflighthouston.org (currently his flight team picture is on the home page of his trip to Washington D.C.); CROSSROADS HOSPICE INC., www.crossroadshospicetx.com (John received absolute first class care on his journey home); TEXAS GOLF ASSOCIATION, www. txga.org; ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, www.agoc.org, or the charity of your choice.

Please visit bradshawcarter. com for a slideshow and to place a tribute.