John James Schiro Jr.

Johnie James Schiro Jr, age 92, of Porter, Texas died at his home on August 14, 2021 of natural causes. He was preceded in death by his wife Lula Mae Schiro who peacefully departed this life on January 10, 2021. They were married 73 years.

John Schiro was honorably discharged from both the Army National Guard of Texas and the Army National Guard of the United States after three years of service.

He was born on November 13, 1928 in Houston, Texas to Giovanni Schiro and Florence Marie Luthe. His siblings are half-brother Lawrence Havens and half-sisters Elizabeth Ferrero and Edna Felchak.

John is survived by three sons and their families: Johnie James Schiro III and wife Nita, Billy Craig Schiro and girlfriend Johnnie, Robert Cary Schiro and wife Michelle. Grandchildren Johnny James Schiro IV and Tifany Teague, Andrea Schiro-Brown and husband Wes Brown, James Schiro and wife Misty, Jarrett Andrews-Schiro, Kenneth Schiro, Phylis Cummings, and Remington D’chase Schiro, in addition to numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. John’s son Phillip Schiro preceded him in death on September 11, 2005.

John Schiro was born with an entrepreneurial, do-it-yourself spirit and was the portrait of a self-made man. His parents were both entrepreneurs of their time. His father, Giovanni, was a blacksmith during World War I. Giovanni, born in the province of Palermo, Sicily, was a lively character. He kept changing his name over the years, eventually settling on Joe Skiro. He was known as the “ice man” in north Houston, as he had an ice truck and delivered huge blocks of ice (which he carried on his back) before refrigerators were available. John’s mother Florence was a female entrepreneur as well, owning her own ice truck along side her husband. Florence went on to start a laundry service out of her home.

When John was a young boy, his father left his family, so out of necessity he began working for his mother ironing clothes to support her laundry business. This was the beginning of his self-sufficient approach to life and his hard work ethic. He was driven and determined to work, no matter what.

By the age of 9 John began working at a local pharmacy making deliveries, as well as working at the Houston Press on a paper delivery route. It seemed he enjoyed working. In fact, he enjoyed working so much, he won a Cushman scooter while at the Houston Press, for his superior paper sales.

At age 16 he met Lula Mae (Porter)Schiro, while delivering papers. Two years later, on September 21, 1947, they were married.

He went to high school through the 10th grade and later earned his G.E.D. He started in the automotive industry after quitting high school. In his early twenties, he began stock car and midget racing at North Houston Speedway, Playland Park and various other racetracks around Texas. He was very good at racing. He drove hard and he drove to win. And win he did, lots of races. His sister-in-law, Billie Daye Johnson, loved being at the track and was always close by. John’s wife Lula Mae and Billie Daye raced in the Powder Puff circuit, where Billie Daye was referred to as “Bull Johnson” when she encountered retaliation against Lula, for John’s many wins. Billie Daye was a natural at racing and was fierce. She was protective of Lula and everyone knew it. Thankfully they all survived the racing circuit, but it was a rough hobby.

By age 30 John went to beauty school, then launched his next business venture - a high-end beauty salon on Richmond Avenue in Houston which he named Mr. John’s Coiffures. He ran a very successful salon for over 15 years. He was in high demand for his styling techniques, styling special requests at the Rice Hotel in downtown Houston.

While continuing to own the beauty salon, John returned to the automotive business. He literally worked day and night operating a heavy-duty wrecker all over north Houston, Kingwood and New Caney, TX. He was on call 24-7, would go anywhere, take any job no matter how challenging, and he loved it. He did eventually sell Mr. John’s Coiffures. He simply loved working, and loved eating steak and ice cream. At age 80 he towed his last job. He towed an oil drilling rig out in west Texas. His vision was declining, and he finally stopped operating the wrecker. He did, however, continue to drive his Cadillac like a race car, to the dismay of his family. He loved driving, long after he should have been. Thanks to GPS, he was able to drive and find his way around the area doing errands until the point he was unable to walk.

John and Lula were gifted a beloved Japanese Akita pup which they named Bella about 15 years ago, and she was a huge part of their lives. Bella had her own distinct personality and demanded tons of attention from them, as well as from any visitors. She was a large dog, very loyal and meant the world to John and Lula. Bella died earlier this year.

John’s health began to decline before his retirement, but his determination thrived and he would not slow down until his body demanded it, many years later. In fact a few days before his exit, he demanded another steak with ice cream.

There will be an inside funeral service for John on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Freeway in Houston, TX. There will not be a burial service..