John David Leseman

Growing up, John was able to experience living in many places across the United States as well as the Philippines and Germany while his Dad served in the U.S. Army before settling in Fort Worth, Texas. This sparked in John not only a love for travel but also for history.

John graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 1970 where he was a distinguished athlete in both football and baseball. He was All-District Defensive Back both his junior and senior years as well as All-Tarrant County Defensive Back his senior year. He graduated from Tarleton State University in 1974 with a B.S. in Health, Physical Education, and Social Studies.

John had a 31 year career as a history teacher and coach, spending the majority of his career in the Fort Worth area with the exception of one year in Missouri. He taught and coached the final 18 years at Haltom High School. Throughout his career John coached football, baseball, and track, and ran the clock at basketball games. After retiring from teaching in 2005, John worked part-time for 11 years at Wood Elementary School in Arlington, Texas.

John was a member of Christ Chapel Bible Church for 37 years and participated in the Men’s Bible Study.

John shared a passion for traveling with his wife, Diane. They enjoyed many trips throughout the U. S. as well as 19 countries across Europe. John loved the planning as well as the experience of these trips, and was always excited about the next adventure on the horizon.

He was an avid college football fan and also enjoyed watching baseball. He loved 70s music, Motown, and adding to his record collection. He would sing along with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons until his family begged him to stop! We will never be able to get his squealing along to “Sherry” out of our ears. John also enjoyed gardening.

John is survived by his wife of 36 years, Diane (Coggin), his two sons, Sean Leseman and wife Kira, Kirk Leseman and wife Paige, one daughter, Leslie Pierce and husband Matt, and one granddaughter, Adley Leseman. He is also survived by his six siblings: Dorothy Leseman, Carol Phelps and husband Ron, David Michael Leseman, Jane Bryant and husband Eddie, Kathy Richeson, and William “Bill” Leseman and wife Kim. He was preceded in death by his parents David and Marie Leseman.

In addition to or in lieu of flowers donations may be made in John's honor to the Parkinson's Foundation.