John Wiley Erwin, Jr. - Class Of 1972
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John Wiley Erwin, Jr.
July 20, 1954 - August 12, 2022
Died of esophogial cancer August 12, 2022
Memorial Oaks Funeral Home @ Eldridge 10AM August 17, 2022
with burial at 11am Wednesday, August 17.
Reception at hearthstone Country Club at 11:30 am
John Wiley Erwin, Jr., 68, of Houston, TX, passed away Friday, August 12, 2022, in the arms of his loving wife of 21 years, Gale Ann.
John was born on July 20, 1954, in Houston, TX, to the late Carmelle and John Wiley Erwin Sr. He graduated from Westchester High School and attended Southwest Texas State University. After college, John began working as a salesman at McGard, where he worked for forty years.
A stranger to none and a friend to all, John was known to those who loved him as John, JW, Big John, John Bob, John Boy, Dad, and Pawpaw. John cherished every moment with the people he loved. He loved his wife and family with all his heart and soul.
A lover of fast cars and adventure, John lived his life to the fullest, traveling the world for both work and fun and always returning with incredible stories. John was an extraordinary, fun-loving, loyal man who lit up a room as soon as he walked through the door. When John showed up, you knew things were about to get a little bit louder, more interesting, and a lot funnier! He remained close friends with his high school buddies for over 50 years, and loved his guy time drinking beer, traveling and spending time in nature. An avid outdoorsman, John never missing the opportunity to go fishing, to the ranch, to the “beer” dear lease, or to the golf course. Not a fisherman, John would jump at the opportunity to go out on the boat with his best friend and a cooler full of beer.
Hardworking, generous and kind, John was always there to lend a helping hand. In fact, his neighbors crowned him the Mayor of the Park and often looked to John for help, advice, and guidance. John also enjoyed helping with the Wounded Warrior Project and Youth Hunts. He will be missed by all who knew him, whether brief or for a lifetime, but his memory will bring smiles, stories, and laughter for years to come.
John is survived by his wife, Gale Erwin; brother, Greg Erwin; sister-in-law, Mary Erwin; two sons, Brent (Susan) Meyer and Grant (Tamara) Meyer; and two grandsons, Jessie and Lucas Meyer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John Wiley Erwin Sr. and Carmelle Erwin.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. A reception to follow at Hearthstone Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of John to St. Jude’s or Make-a-Wish Foundation.
PALLBEARERS
Greg Erwin
Brent Meyer
Grant Meyer
Alan Evans
Tommy Luffell
Jay Direnzo
Steve Touchy
Bob Comeaux
Don Najvar
Rod Sharpe
BIRTH
DEATH
12 August 2022 (aged 68)
BURIAL
Memorial Oaks Cemetery Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA
Today (4.16.23), I went on line to the Westchester website for the first time in several months. I checked the "In Memory" section and saw that John had passed. I couldn't believe it. I sat and looked at his photograph on the scene, and then had to sit back with my head in my hands for several minutes. I was truely deeply saddened.
This last fall (2022) I was thinking of coming to Houston for the '72 reunion but for various reasons I could not make it. Although I moved to Phoenix in the summer of '70 and graduated from another high school, I attended freshman and sophmores years at Westchester Sr. High School. John was in my homeroom class both years and we became friends. He was a funny guy and we had alot of laughs in school. I really wanted to see John again and reconnect. But now that's not possible. I really wanted to hear that great laugh of his.
In my profile at the "Classmate" website I mentioned a story concerning John. We had decided to take driver's ed. together in the Fall of 1969. John did not live far from me so he said he would pick me up on his Honda 90 motorcycle in the morning and drive us to class. Driver's Ed. started at 7:00 am a'clock as I remember, so I had to be up and dressed by about 6:30 am. It was fall so I just wore my blue jean jacket. That was fine for walking around in, but speeding along Memorial Drive on Johns bike in the fall was really chilly. We were half-frozen when we go to school. Then, when we got to class, Coach Kirby, our instructor, hassled us about the length of our hair. He did that about every time we went to class. We just laughed it off, and John just referred to us as a couple of "hippie dawgs". That was his slang for long-hairs at school.
Johnny Erwin was a great guy and good friend. I regret not trying to reconnect with him years ago. I have lost one of my farvorite high school buddies. But, more importantly, I am so sorry for your loss. His family and friends are all better for knowing him and we will all miss him very much.
Hi Mike. Good to hear from you. I did not know John but I do remember you. If you would like to get in touch. You can go thru Alumni site and also the private class page on FaceBook. It is open to anyone in our class whether you graduated with us or not. Lol for us in Facebook at Westchester Reunion _ 1972. Not everyone stays active online these days but we'd love to hear from you.
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T. Michael Fink (1972)
To the family and friends of Johnny Erwin:
Today (4.16.23), I went on line to the Westchester website for the first time in several months. I checked the "In Memory" section and saw that John had passed. I couldn't believe it. I sat and looked at his photograph on the scene, and then had to sit back with my head in my hands for several minutes. I was truely deeply saddened.
This last fall (2022) I was thinking of coming to Houston for the '72 reunion but for various reasons I could not make it. Although I moved to Phoenix in the summer of '70 and graduated from another high school, I attended freshman and sophmores years at Westchester Sr. High School. John was in my homeroom class both years and we became friends. He was a funny guy and we had alot of laughs in school. I really wanted to see John again and reconnect. But now that's not possible. I really wanted to hear that great laugh of his.
In my profile at the "Classmate" website I mentioned a story concerning John. We had decided to take driver's ed. together in the Fall of 1969. John did not live far from me so he said he would pick me up on his Honda 90 motorcycle in the morning and drive us to class. Driver's Ed. started at 7:00 am a'clock as I remember, so I had to be up and dressed by about 6:30 am. It was fall so I just wore my blue jean jacket. That was fine for walking around in, but speeding along Memorial Drive on Johns bike in the fall was really chilly. We were half-frozen when we go to school. Then, when we got to class, Coach Kirby, our instructor, hassled us about the length of our hair. He did that about every time we went to class. We just laughed it off, and John just referred to us as a couple of "hippie dawgs". That was his slang for long-hairs at school.
Johnny Erwin was a great guy and good friend. I regret not trying to reconnect with him years ago. I have lost one of my farvorite high school buddies. But, more importantly, I am so sorry for your loss. His family and friends are all better for knowing him and we will all miss him very much.
God speed, John Erwin!
Sincerely,
T. Michael Fink, Scottsdale, AZ.
Cynthia "Cyndi" Louise Chew (Wilson) (1972)
Hi Mike. Good to hear from you. I did not know John but I do remember you. If you would like to get in touch. You can go thru Alumni site and also the private class page on FaceBook. It is open to anyone in our class whether you graduated with us or not. Lol for us in Facebook at Westchester Reunion _ 1972. Not everyone stays active online these days but we'd love to hear from you.Cyndi Chew Wilson