John M. Caruthers

John was born August 26, 1933, in Fort Worth Texas, to Foy and Frances Caruthers. He attended Polly High in Fort Worth and later attended SMU on full scholarship and played both baseball and basketball. John played on the 1953 Southwest Conferance Championship Baseball team for the SMU Mustangs and was selected to the All Southwest Conference Team in baseball and basketball in 1953. He also received many other honors and awards in baseball and after 2 years at SMU signed with the Phillies organization. During that time he met and married Gena Tapp, they were married 30 years and had 4 children. He served in the Army as a military police officer. He worked many different jobs for Tapp Funeral Home and Furniture store, serving people in that very special caring way he was known for. He served as a Scout Master, baseball coach, and mentor in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

In 1990 John made a career change after his marriage ended and moved to Waco to work as a Pre Need counselor with Connally Compton Funeral Home. While staring his new job and a new life John started to visiting local churches looking for a church home. His search ended when he visited the singles class at 1st United Methodist and met Jeri Reynolds. They participated in all the class activities and soon fell in love and were married July 2, 1991. They continued to work in the church and helped build the Mary and Joseph Class. John continued to work as a counselor and insurance agent until the onset of Alzheimer’s kept him from doing his work.

He was preceded in death by his parents Foy and Frances Caruthers, Brother Foy, Jr., and sister Bettye Nell, his wife, Jeri Reynolds Caruthers. He is survived by his four children, Johnny Caruthers and Gayle of Tyler, Kim Gray and Dan of Temple, Amy Russo and Tim of Flint, Jim Caruthers of Hawkins, and two step children Gail Stephens and Mike and Ron Reynolds and Paula both of Waco. Fifteen grandchildren and several great grandchildren. He will always be missed for his humble spirit, words of wisdom gentle smile and his goodbye saying “Be Cheerful”.

A very special thanks to Wesley Woods Alzheimer’s Care Center and all the wonderful people who cared for and loved our dad.