John Hugh Allen Maguire

John was born November 14, 1938, in New York, New York. He grew up on 107th Street in Corona and loved to share stories about his childhood adventures, including standing outside Yankee Stadium waiting to shake hands with the players, taking the subway from 103rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue into Times Square, and living next door to Louis and Lucille Armstrong.

John joined the United States Air Force in 1957 and served overseas in Tripoli, Libya. When he returned to the United States, he moved to Atlanta to be near family. It was in Atlanta that he met the love of his life, Norma Jean. They were married on September 4, 1965, at the Cathedral of Christ the King. John and Norma made their home in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they raised their daughter, Julie.

John attended John Marshall School of Law and earned his J.D., but he felt called to a career in education. He taught accounting at the community college level for many years. In mid-life, he returned to school and earned a Master of History degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. From 1990 until his retirement in 2006, he taught history and political science at Pellissippi State Community College. He loved being in the classroom and had a gift for connecting with his students.

John had a beautiful singing voice and learned to play music by ear. He spent many evenings playing and singing. He was also a devout Catholic and a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. John will be remembered for his humor and his generous nature. Above all, John will be remembered for his devotion to his wife, Norma Jean, and for his love for his family.

John is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Norma Jean Hurst Maguire. John is survived by his daughter, Julie Catherine Maguire Vallejo, and son-in-law, Joel Vallejo, and by his beloved grandchildren, Owen Maguire Vallejo and Sarah Grace Vallejo, and many other family members who will miss him.

We would like to thank the medical staff and doctors at Saint Thomas West and the Alive Hospice Team who provided him with amazing care during his brief illness. It will forever be appreciated.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025, in the Chapel at Saint Henry Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee, with Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home handling the arrangements. Burial will be private.

Visitation begins at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 4, 2025, in the Chapel Lobby with a Funeral Mass following at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s name to Knoxville Catholic High School (https://knoxvillecatholic.com/make-a-gift/ or contact Joni Punch at 865-560-0313) or to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.