John F. Tafolla

John F. Tafolla our beloved husband, father, and friend died at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital after a brief illness on Thursday, August 1, 2002. He was a lifelong resident of San Antonio and an active member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church . He helped with many fundraising projects for the church. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School and St. Mary's University School of Law. He was a practicing Attorney for 50 years. John was president of the San Antonio Bar Association 1975-1976, former Judge in the City of Live Oak; also served as Magistrate of MHMR. John joined the Albert Pike Chapter of DeMolay No. 58 in 1942 and was elected to serve as Master Councilor in 1944. He became a Charter Member of Albert Pike Priory No. 38 on August 29, 1948 and was awarded the DeMolay order of Knighthood. John was honored in 1949, receiving the highest honor an active DeMolay can be awarded, that of Chevalier degree and received the highest honor, Legion of Honor Degree in 1976. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944 and served in WW II in Tsing Tao, China. He was a National Guard Reserve JAG Officer and achieved the rank of Major before he retired. John was a volunteer for various organizations including the Alamo Head Injury Association. He was a tutor for the San Antonio Jewish Coalition of Literacy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge James Jimmie A. Tafolla and Eloise Barajas and his brother James Tafolla. He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters Gay Dittrich and husband Ron and Lisa Tafolla; son, Mike Tafolla; grandchildren, Marshall Dittrich, Kara Dittrich and Matthew Tafolla; brother Richard "Rico" Tafolla; sister, Mavis Schroeder and husband Skip; numerous nieces and nephews. John was a very special loving husband and father to his family. He was a great friend and mentor to many of his collegues. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.