Alumni Obituaries – July 2013
JOHNSON – Richard J., (1965, MDiv), 91, of West Liberty, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2013, at his daughter’s residence in Knoxville, Tenn. He was born in Alliance on May 13, 1922, to the late Willis B. and Alice Kinsey Johnson. He, also, was preceded in death by two brothers, Horace and Robert Johnson. On Aug. 16, 1952, he married the former Lois Seward in Crawford Corners and she survives, along with a son, Paul (Linda) Johnson of Canton; two daughters, Rebecca (Charles) Robinson of Knoxville, Tenn., and Deborah (Jon) Goll of Akron; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The Rev. Johnson earned degrees from Malone University, Taylor University and Asbury Seminary, where he received his master of divinity degree. He first served at Mt. Carmel Friends Church in Cable and then served churches in Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota and Indiana. He retired from the McKee’s Creek Friends Church, West Liberty. He enjoyed reading the Bible. A ham radio operator, he, also, enjoyed model trains, all Ohio State sports and going to antique shows with his wife.
LACROIX- John Peyton (2006, MDiv), 62, passed away on May 23, 2013. He was a member and very active in Quest Community Church, Lexington Ky. Prior to that he was a member of First United Methodist, Pineville, and was active in the choir and youth groups there. He grew up in Palestine United Methodist Church of Pineville and was a member of the choir. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners. John was born on September 26, 1950 in New Roads, La. to Peyton C. LaCroix and Eva Gravier LaCroix and baptized at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Rosedale, La.. Shortly after his birth they moved back to the Tioga area. He was a 1968 graduate of Tioga High School. John was an accomplished musician in high school. He played clarinet in the band and was a noted vocalist in the renowned Tioga High School Chorus where he was selected for the Boys Ensemble and the Mixed Ensemble. He attended Palestine United Methodist Church while in school and it was there he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He received his BS degree from Louisiana College and participated in the lay witness mission ministry program which allowed him to work with people throughout the state. His work in this program eventually led to his gaining employment with Angola State Prison as an educational specialist. Later he attended Asbury Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity Degree. Due to major health problems since age seven he was forced to go on disability. He fought daily battles with a disability that he did not allow to affect his upbeat personality, his love of his Lord and Savior and family and friends. Those left to mourn his death are one son Peyton Lee LaCroix of Lexington, Ky.; one sister Eva J. Worsham ,of Pineville, two nieces, one great niece, one great nephew and one great great nephew, numerous cousins and many friends. He touched many lives and his bright smile and winning personality will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his parents Peyton and Eva Gravier LaCroix, one nephew and one great niece. Paternal grandparents James Peyton LaCroix and Laura Alice Baron LaCroix and maternal grandparents John and Ritha Gravier.
MINOR – James F., (1967, MDiv), 85, of Blue Springs, MO entered his eternal home with Jesus his Lord and Savior on June 4, 2013. James was preceded in death by Ruth his lovely wife, just one month before him. He is also preceded in death by his brother Melvin Minor and his sister Betty Wolford. He leaves behind to celebrate his life his children, Tommy Minor and wife Mary, John Minor and wife Kathy, Mary Malone and husband Bill, Linda Main and husband Ed, as well as 10 grandchildren, 19 great- grandchildren, and 1 great-great- grandchild to be born in June. James was born Nov 13, 1927 in Columbus, Ohio to John O. Minor and Violet S. Denman Minor. He was raised on a farm where he learned an impeccable work ethic from his father. Shortly after high school he entered the Army Air Force where he served with distinction. He was ordered by his commander to apply for West Point and was accepted. Much to the dismay of the “”brass”” he declined the appointment and left the military service. The military could not compete with who he had waiting for him at home, his “”Angel”” Ruth. They were married Jan. 18, 1948 in her parents’ home starting a marriage that would last until her death over 65 years later. James graduated from Ohio University with honors and became a system analyst for Columbia Gas of Ohio. In his mid 30’s he had a profound encounter with God that changed his life. He resigned from a promising career in computers and began studying to become a minister. Upon graduation from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1967 and began his clergyman career that would have him serving churches in OH, KY, AR, CA, PA, NM, TX, MO and IL. After retirement he served as the Missouri Conference Superintendent in the Free Methodist Church and, also, as a pastor in IL. During retirement he led numerous Bible Study classes at churches in Blue Springs, MO as well as at a local Senior Center. His life credo, stated early in his clergy career, was to teach the Bible so as to make a difference in peoples’ lives. He was successful. James is now in his eternal home. Even though he will be missed, his legacy lives on in the lives of many who have become better men and women of God because of his teaching.
PANTHER – Johnnie David (1982, MDiv; 2005 DMin), 56. The Rev. Dr. Johnnie David “Pastor Dave” Panther, of Butler, this good and faithful servant returned to the loving arms of his father Sunday, May 26, 2013, while surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband, best friend and soul mate for 31 years of Jana “Janis” (Reid) Panther; loving father of Bethany Leigh (Panther) Raraigh and her husband, Douglas Raraigh, of Butler, and Jonathan David Panther, of Pittsburgh; proud and adoring grandfather “Spud” of Ella Faith and Keira Hope Raraigh; dear son of Johnnie Lee and Patricia Ann Panther; caring brother of Lisa Ann Pontiere and her husband, Ernest; cherished son-in-law of Estella D. Reid; brother-in-law of William A. Reid; and devoted uncle of William T. Reid, Travis J. Reid, Alexia M. Pontiere, Brooke A. Reid and Elizabeth A. Pontiere. Brother in Christ and friend to First Church staff and congregation, Pastor Dave served as senior pastor at the Butler First United Methodist Church for 21 years, launching Crossfire Campus in 1999. He had previously served United Methodist Churches in Ambridge and Clarion. Along with being senior pastor, David was the chairman of Bishops Episcopacy Committee of the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church. David received the Paul Harris Fellow Award while active in the Ambridge Rotary and the Diversity Award from Slippery Rock University. Dave touched many people’s lives and will be greatly missed by so many.
ROHRER – Clason L., (1949, MDiv), 92, passed away in Santa Cruz, California on May 25, 2013. USAF (Ret.) Lt. Col with Military honors. Born in Stockton, he graduated from Stockton High, Los Angeles Pacific College (BS) Asbury Theological Seminary (M-DIV) and Azusa Pacific University (MA). He served his country in the US Army Air Corps during WWII as lead navigator, responsible for more than 1,000 planes in his command and sometimes as many as 400 aircraft in a single mission. He continued his military service as an Air Force Chaplain throughout both the Korean War, and Vietnam War, retiring in 1971 with the rank of Lt Colonel, and the recipient of many medals awarded him, including the Air Medal and the Air Force Accommodation Medal. After retirement from the military, he returned to Stockton where he opened Agape Counseling. His religious and military career spanned over 50 years. He was a published author and photographer. He was also and outstanding bowler with an average of 190 and a charter member of the Riding for the Son Christian Motorcycle Association where he served as president for many years. He is survived by his sons, Bill Rohrer of Stockton, and Stephen Rohrer of Santa Cruz. He also leaves behind his sisters, Nora Lee Willard of Stockton and Clarice Vesey of Ripon, CA; along with numerous loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family. Col Rohrer is preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Francis M. Rohrer in 2008 and his daughter, Normalee Kennedy.
TRAIL – Lesley Elton (1985, MDiv), 58 , of Roanoke, died on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Born December 7, 1954, in Roanoke, VA, he was a son of the late, Herman Arthur Trail Sr. and Peggy Williams Trail. Les was a graduate of Ferrum College and Asbury Theology Seminary. Rev. Trail was a United Methodist Minister in the Virginia Conference having served the Blue Ridge Charge and the Mount Crawford/Sidney Charge in the Harrisonburg District, the Appomattox Circuit in the Lynchburg District, Lower United Methodist Church in the Rappahannock District, Southview United Methodist Church in the Roanoke District, and Main Street United Methodist Church, Bedford, in the Lynchburg District. Surviving are his wife, Karen Eppard Trail; two brothers, Herman Arthur Trail Jr. of Oklahoma City. OK and Kenneth Edward Trail and wife, Carolyn of Salem; and several nieces and nephews, including Brian M. Trail, Kevin Trail, Kenneth E. Trail Jr., Kellie T. Wells, Caitlin Trail and Tyler Trail. The family wishes to thank Dr. Gerald Schertz and the staff at Blue Ridge Cancer Center.