John Laschkewitsch Obituary

I first met John through his association with Joe Waters in Odessa. Joe was Principal at Goliad Elementary and John worked as Speech Therapist there. The three of us were like The Three Musketeers for some time. JOe and JOhn rode motorcycles all over the country. I had a strong fear of death so I did not join them on their rides. John was one of the most interesting men I have ever met. I have always fancied myself as a smart fellow and JOhn knew something about everything I presented to him. We both had a MIlitary background and we talked a lot about things Military. I learned in Basic Training in 1959 my General Orders. 11 of them in the set. The second General Order says, "I will walk my post in a military manner..." John walked his post in a military manner. I will never forget you, John L+12. Love you, Brother Jim Curlee

Carolyn,
I was finally able to post my thoughts today. Please know you & John are in our prayers. Today´s service was a wonderful tribute to John L+12. We love you!!

I wanted to share my thoughts about John /Jack with you. He was such a good man. So glad yall had these last yrs together. You are in our hearts & prayers


May God be with John´s family, Carolyn and all who knew & loved John. He was such a good man, & so intelligent!!
I met John at Goliad Elementary, when he was transferred there as our Speech Pathologist. I worked at that time as the building/attendance clerk on the main office. He came in to visit or take care of making copies for his classes. I would help him. We became good friends during our work time together. He was always so good & kind to everyone, the staff & the children he worked with. The children loved him!! He had stuffed animals all over his classroom for them. He had a quick smile and greeting for everyone. That fisrt year at Goliad, he shared that he had lost his wife , Mary to illness & you could tell his heart was broken & he was still grieving. However, even in his grief was always so positive and kind to everyone. We had an activity at Christmastime every year called "Secret Santa". The Goliad staff who participated drew names for "secret pals that first year I met him. ...And lo & behold, I drew John´s name!! We all completed a form a about our favorite things, colors, collections, etc. After drawing John´s name that first year, at first, I was like, I don´t really know what to do for a "guy"!! He completed the form in detail in that "beautiful hand writing" of his & shared things he liked, simple things like how much he loved "lemon pie". I thought well this is not gonna be that hard, I can sure do that!! So, I made him an icebox lemon pie for one of my gifts. You would have thought he received a "gold nugget" or something??. He went on & on to everyone around who would listen about how his "secret pal" had made him a lemon pie!! Needless to say it was a sweet memory about how sweet this man was & what kind heart he possessed . We later revealed our identities and it seemed after that we just had an instant connection. I counted him one of my special friends at work. Anyone, who knew John knew how intelligent he was. He shared with me about "his Mary" and "his children". I never met any of them, but I knew by what he shared that he & Mary had raised some really great kids!! He was so proud of his sons & his daughter & all of their accomplishments!! If you knew John you also knew he liked to talk!! But he listened too. . He and our Principal, Mr Joe Waters became good friends along with Jim Curlee. They all became good friends. All really good men. They enjoyed riding motorcycles. Joe couldn´t talk Jenny into riding with him any longer, so he and John started riding together taking trips to events like Cowboy Poetry & stuff like that. I will never forget when I saw John´s motorcycle in the parking lot at school, it was a beautiful "shiny turquoise bike". I think he told me he bought it used?? It was beautiful!! It was perfect for him, fit his personality perfectly!!!
A couple of yrs or so later, we had a before school party "get together" at a fellow classroom teacher´s home, Charlesea Loudenburg to meet new staff. Mr Water´s & Jenny always made it so special for everyone. They prepped & prepared most of the food & entertainment !!
Everyone was there!!
...And John was there too, but this timeout with a date!! Much to mine & my husband, Randy´s surprise, it was a longtime friend of ours we had known since our young married days in our Bible Class of young, married´s, Carolyn Wallum. They were just perfect for each other. Wasn´t long until they married. She was so good for him & him for her.. I guess that´s been over 25+ years ago now. Carolyn, I´m so glad yall found each other. He was so lonely & such a good kind Christian man. Yall have had many good times together these past years. I know you´re going to miss him. He had a wonderful smile & sincere heart. May God bless you with your many wonderful memories together & I pray they sustain you in these coming days!!


Randy & Linda Harrison