Memorial Service
Schertz Funeral Home Chapel-
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2217 FM 3009
Schertz, Texas 78154
1925
John
2015
John Potter, Sr.
March 24, 1925 — December 12, 2015
John Daniel Potter, Sr., loving and devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather, left us on December 12, 2015 to go home to his Lord. He was surrounded by loving family in the home that he loved.
John was born on March 24, 1925. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines and served in both World War II and the Korean War. One of his most memorable trips was to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial.
As a young man, he gained very high security clearance from when he pushed a snack cart at an RCA Plant and had access to all parts of the facility, including parts that were doing national security work.
John was a man who loved Christmas time. He loved the family gathering, the lights, the giving and receiving of gifts. He loved his children, the grandkids, and great grandkids sitting around the Christmas tree sharing and listening to stories. He would sit in his favorite recliner soaking in all the spirit of the season laughing and grinning from ear to ear.
Thanksgiving was another favorite holiday with turkey and ham followed by family watching the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas A&M-UT game. John was also an avid fan of NCAA women's basketball and of the San Antonio Spurs, whose games he delighted in attending when he was still physically able.
John had an outstanding voice and was a lover of music. For a time in college, he sang in a Methodist, a Baptist, and a Presbyterian choir at the same time. Although he never followed through, one of his voice teachers encouraged him to sing with the Met. He loved musicals, Sarah Brightman, Andy Williams' Moon River, and the Three Tenors - Luciano Pavorotti, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras.
For much of his career, John was a college professor teaching business and finance at Simpson College, Indiana University, North Texas State University, Northwest Missouri State University, and St. Mary's University. He was a Mason and a man of strong character. He believed in treating all people with dignity and worth. He believed in hard work. He believed in civic responsibility and viewed voting as not only a right, but a duty to be cherished and exercised. He was a proud and staunch Democrat. He maintained that his goal with his children, though, was to teach them how to think, not what to think.
John thought cardinals were really special. He himself, however, was a night owl, a trait he passed on to many of his children and grandchildren.
When asked to describe their grandfather, his grandchildren said: the kindest man I've ever known; a giver, not a taker; a great story teller with fascinating stories; caring; wise; loved trains; encouraging; a gentleman; fun loving; loyal; respected; a big teddy bear; and always there when you needed him.
John loved his family deeply. He always seemed to know what to say when you needed it most, almost like a sixth sense. He relished life. His standard answer to the question "How are you?" was "I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in." He was inspired by the poem "Footprints in the Sand" as well as the 23rd Psalm.
John was preceded in death by his mother Rachel Phillis (Pate) Nagel and his father Bailey Potter. He is survived by his brother Ron Nagel and his children John Daniel Potter, Jr. (wife Carol), Shelley Potter (husband Tom), Clifford David Potter (wife Terri), Steven Potter (wife Jan), and Jeanie Potter Graham (husband Keith). He is also survived by the grandchildren of whom he was so proud: Mike Potter (wife Grace), Katie Potter, Will Potter, Matt Potter, Lindsay Potter, Amanda Metz (husband Brandon), Steven Potter, Jr., Nicole Cummins, Michele Cummins, Thomas Cummins, Taylor Graham, and Kipton Graham. Surviving great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren are Mike, Adrienne, Timmy, Audrey Rose, Ethan, Josephine, Darrion, Aubree, Audriana, and Armani.
The family will hold a private family gathering on December 20, 2015 and plans a memorial service for March around the time of John's birthday. The family requests that you honor John by contributing to your favorite charity and by extending a random act of kindness in John's name.
To Dad/Grandpa: You are our hero. Thank you for loving us and for being in our lives. Thank you for being an amazing dad and amazing grandpa and great grandpa and a role model to us all. We will miss that sparkle in your eyes. You will live on in our hearts and memories and through the lessons we learned from you. We hope and pray that we have made you proud and will continue to make you proud. We love you to the moon and back.
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To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Potter, Sr., please visit our flower store.
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