John Paul Best

John Paul Best passed away February 4, 2006 in Austin, Texas after a brief battle with cancer. He was born March 26, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska. He married Diane Arlene Beck in 1955. He put himself through college by playing in a dance band. He attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he majored in music. He was proficient at playing the piano, trumpet and accordion. Upon receiving his bachelors degree, he was a music teacher and later a principal at the Iowa Blind and Sight Saving School. He started the first blind marching band in the United States which performed at a Fourth of July parade in New York City in the late 50’s. He accomplished many things in life including receiving his masters degree in special education from the University of Minnesota, and his doctorate degree in special education from New Mexico State University. John’s career included being Principal of the School for the Blind and Deaf in Gooding, Idaho, Superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind in Austin, Texas, and Superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was the Director of Special Education for Region XIX Service Center in El Paso, Texas. He was also the head of the Governor’s Coordinating Office for the Visually Handicapped in Austin. He worked very hard in changing the system to meet the needs of multi-handicapped children. He played a large role in making the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired what it is today. He co-authored the bill for “mainstreaming” handicapped children into public schools. He loved science fiction and enjoyed reading, writing poetry, drawing, painting, playing cards with Barbara, and above all, socializing with family and friends. When his children were young, he loved to take them swimming at Ramsey, Northwest, and Barton Springs swimming pools. He was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and was affectionately known as “The Wild Irish Rose”. He was a friend to many and enjoyed life to its fullest. He had a keen wit and a terrific sense of humor that will be greatly missed. He spent his final years living at the Rebekah Baines Johnson Center, where he made many dear friends and had some wonderful times. He really livened the place up. He absolutely treasured his friends at the RBJ Center and referred to them as his “extended family”. John’s last dream was to become a priest. He had been studying for the priesthood and was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon and Priest on behalf of the United Ecumenical Catholic Diocese of Texas in his hospital room days before he died. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Charles Best and Sadie Frances Doyle Best. He is survived by his four children: daughter Cathy Minerva and husband Fred of Atlanta, Georgia, son, Mike Best and wife Phyllis of Colorado Springs, Colorado, daughter Paula Holle and husband Michael of Austin, and daughter Linda Best of Simi Valley, California. He is also survived by his six grandsons, Jesse Staton and wife Cece, Brandon Best, Nicholas Best, Matthew Best, Justin Toungate, and Christopher Holle and one-great granddaughter, Jesseka Staton. He is also survived by his special girlfriend, Barbara Burgert. The family would like to thank Dr. Deepa Mittal and Dr. Arshard Ghauri and all of the therapists and the seventh floor nursing staff at Brackenridge Hospital for taking such good care of Dad during his illness. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8th at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in memory of John to the Rebekah Baines Johnson Council, c/o Barbara Burgert, 21 Waller Street #1502, Austin, Texas, 78702. Obituary and guestbook on line at wcfish.com