My goodness, apparently I am not the only one at a loss for words concerning our friend John .
He was just one fine guy. Competative, tenacious, fair, friendly, intelligent, nice to be around. Just a superb individual.
He left us far to soon and I'm sure Michael and his children and a lot of us Sapen fans will never understand why. Sometimes life just isn't fair. That doesn't make it right.
You are gone John and we miss you, but you are not forgotten. After all, you didn't get voted to be Mr. GHS by being a stick in the mud. Miss you.
John Sapen was one of the most genuine guys in GHS. No ego with all of us. It was such a pleasure being friends with John. I remember him running those track cross-country races and seeing him come floating in to the finish line and smiling like it was so easy and fun. Amazing athlete. Then visiting him when he broke his leg really bad, and he still came back into all the sports. He made people feel good about themselves just being around him. He is missed.
One of the finest to ever grace the halls of Greenville High School! A friend to everyone and one of the finest athletes ever! We grew up close together and always sat next to each other for every sports picture as far as I can remember! Loved him like a brother!
Found this as well... "John Edward Sapen, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E Sapen, Dixon Blvd., was 11 years old Tuesday, Aug. 21" Uniontown, Fayette County, PA was his father's hometown.
The Evening Standard
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Friday, August 24, 1956
Page 2
John and I were quarterbacks on the Yannigans junior high team. Actually he was a much better quarterback than I was. We enjoyed the competition for being the starter each week. I admired him for his skill and intelligence as a quarterback.
I met John at EE Bass. One of the nicest guys on the planet so in 1962 when I met a special new friend in Leland, she set me up on a blind date. In return, I fixed her up with John. They went to the senior play at GHS on their first date. I actually sat in the row in front of them. Well folks, it clicked. John married Michael Moss. They had three beautiful children before John left us. Michael and I are still dear friends although we haven't seen each other in many, many years. I will never forget John, one of the sweetest men, ever!
To all of you who knew and have commented about my precious John:
My heart still to this day FLIPS just looking at his picture! He was my high school sweetheart, my forever hero and idol. I am forever thankful for the twenty years we had together and the three wonderful children we had together! On Wednesday, August 10, 1983, I called our doctor and asked him to stop by our house before he went to our church for Prayer Meeting. He came a little before 6:00 pm, talked briefly to John as the dear friend he was and then asked me to step out in the hall a minute.....he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "I can't promise you morning." Those words will forever grab my heart, and there's no way to describe the grief I felt. Dr. Herrington, followed by the entire congregation at First Baptist Church came and stayed with me and the children until John took his last breath at 9:45 pm that night.
Thank you all for your kind words about John and all I can say is that I totally agree with everything good you have said.
Neil Bone
My goodness, apparently I am not the only one at a loss for words concerning our friend John .
He was just one fine guy. Competative, tenacious, fair, friendly, intelligent, nice to be around. Just a superb individual.
He left us far to soon and I'm sure Michael and his children and a lot of us Sapen fans will never understand why. Sometimes life just isn't fair. That doesn't make it right.
You are gone John and we miss you, but you are not forgotten. After all, you didn't get voted to be Mr. GHS by being a stick in the mud. Miss you.
Douglas Quinn
John Sapen was one of the most genuine guys in GHS. No ego with all of us. It was such a pleasure being friends with John. I remember him running those track cross-country races and seeing him come floating in to the finish line and smiling like it was so easy and fun. Amazing athlete. Then visiting him when he broke his leg really bad, and he still came back into all the sports. He made people feel good about themselves just being around him. He is missed.
Paul Dottley
One of the finest to ever grace the halls of Greenville High School! A friend to everyone and one of the finest athletes ever! We grew up close together and always sat next to each other for every sports picture as far as I can remember! Loved him like a brother!
Robert Wylie
John Edward Sapen, Jr
Birth: Aug. 21, 1945
Death: Aug. 10, 1983
Burial:
Woodlawn Cemetery
Columbia, Marion County,
Mississippi
I believe this is John's memorial at Find-a-grave.com
Found this as well...
"John Edward Sapen, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E Sapen, Dixon Blvd., was 11 years old Tuesday, Aug. 21" Uniontown, Fayette County, PA was his father's hometown.
The Evening Standard
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Friday, August 24, 1956
Page 2
Rest in Peace, John
David Ely
John and I were quarterbacks on the Yannigans junior high team. Actually he was a much better quarterback than I was. We enjoyed the competition for being the starter each week. I admired him for his skill and intelligence as a quarterback.
Annette Ashley (Smith)
I met John at EE Bass. One of the nicest guys on the planet so in 1962 when I met a special new friend in Leland, she set me up on a blind date. In return, I fixed her up with John. They went to the senior play at GHS on their first date. I actually sat in the row in front of them. Well folks, it clicked. John married Michael Moss. They had three beautiful children before John left us. Michael and I are still dear friends although we haven't seen each other in many, many years. I will never forget John, one of the sweetest men, ever!
Benjy Nelken
This photo is from our 1983 reunion booklet and thought I would again share it with you all---------Benjy
Mike Sapen (Pendarvis)
To all of you who knew and have commented about my precious John:
My heart still to this day FLIPS just looking at his picture! He was my high school sweetheart, my forever hero and idol. I am forever thankful for the twenty years we had together and the three wonderful children we had together! On Wednesday, August 10, 1983, I called our doctor and asked him to stop by our house before he went to our church for Prayer Meeting. He came a little before 6:00 pm, talked briefly to John as the dear friend he was and then asked me to step out in the hall a minute.....he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "I can't promise you morning." Those words will forever grab my heart, and there's no way to describe the grief I felt. Dr. Herrington, followed by the entire congregation at First Baptist Church came and stayed with me and the children until John took his last breath at 9:45 pm that night.
Thank you all for your kind words about John and all I can say is that I totally agree with everything good you have said.
Till The Trumpet!
Michael Moss Sapen Pendarvis
7/14/2023