JOHN WAINYARD WERCHAN

John Wainyard Werchan was born August 11, 1940 in Austin, TX to the late Anton Willie Fritz Werchan and Evelyn Donald Gamble. He graduated from McCallum High School and joined the Air Force in June 1958 where he served 5 years, including time in Japan and Spain. After his military service, he served as an air traffic controller for 16 years until 1980 when he was terminated by President Reagan himself. Perhaps his most joyful career involved his over 20 years as campground manager for Camp Sionito in Bandera, TX.

John was blessed with a large and loving family. He had 3 sons with his previous spouse, Anna Marie Wilbourn and 2 daughters with his current spouse, Holly Ann Hydrick. He and Holly met in Corpus Christi, TX and were married on January 12, 1980 in Houston, TX. He always served the role of proud father to all of his children and would brag on their accomplishments whenever the opportunity presented itself.

John was a friend to all he met and never met a stranger. He was engaged in his church men’s group and regularly volunteered for the local food bank. He was currently attending Living Waters Church in Utopia, Tx and previously attended White Rock Christian Fellowship in Bandera, Tx. He was always willing to lend a helpful hand to those in need. John was an avid fisherman and hunter who also loved camping, gardening and preserving his bounty. He was well known for his jams, jellies and pickles and even won 2nd place at the State Fair. He will be very dearly missed by those who knew him.

While on vacation in Florida with his family, John suffered a traumatic fall leading to significant spinal cord injury. He passed peacefully at Covenant Care in Pensacola, FL with his spouse and children by his side, on September 12, 2022 at the age of 82. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charles Anton Werchan, and his sister Barbara Rose Werchan Jahn, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins, as he was the last of his generation. He is survived by his 3 sons, Henry Anton Werchan (Bridget), Jason Samuel Werchan (Stephanie), and Shawn Patrick Werchan ( Beverly) as well as his 2 daughters, Chelsey Ann Werchan and Patricia Colleen Werchan Ziperovich (Thomas). He also leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 2 ¾ great grandchildren, 1 dog Watson, and 3 granddogs (Nikko, Bella, and Khloe).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make donations to one of the following organizations: Make-A-Wish Foundation; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Alzheimer’s Foundation.