John A. Semander

John Allen Semander of Houston, TX 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. Preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas Zane & Lillian Adele Semander and brother Zane Edwin.  John, a native Houstonian, 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 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.

Visitation and Trisagion Prayers will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2021 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Bradshaw Carter Funeral Home located at 1734 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX, 77098. Prayers at 6:00pm (Approx. 15 min.)

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 10:00am located at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral located at 3511 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, TX, 77006.

Immediately following the service light refreshments will be served in the Martel Hall from 11:00am-12:30pm. Burial will take place at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, Houston, TX 1:00pm.

Please consider a charitable donation in John’s memory in lieu of flowers. The following organizations 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 any charity of your choice.

The Active Pallbearers are:

Nicholas Semander

Keith Cline

Kyle Cline

William (Billy) Hartman

Michael Krebs

Markos Pappas

John Zachary Semander

Ian Tonroy

The Honorary Pallbearers - Reagan High School Wednesday Gathering Friends.

A tribute video may be viewed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn4QPD3zHlo <https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DVn4QPD3zHlo&data=04%7C01%7Ctripp%40bradshawcarter.com%7C975633f45376400315a208d955000695%7C9a1f6944e17342f58d0855d1b5b05009%7C0%7C0%7C637634280870851320%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=j2QSbj2KSQjn7OrWgvfwN%2B7iGvsoYICs4ke4rm7tvqk%3D&reserved=0>