John Joseph Stranahan

John was one of five children who grew up all over the world with their parents before settling in Houston, Texas. John often spoke fondly of his childhood memories in Peru and Spain and loved any opportunity to practice his Spanish. He went to St. Thomas High School, where he would later teach science, and completed his PhD at the University of Houston. He married Ann Webber, they started a family, and eventually purchased his childhood home where he would live until his passing.

Teaching, working on cars, hunting, and fishing were John’s passions before he was forced into retirement in 1990. In retirement, he became a stay at home dad to his daughter, Casey and they went on many adventures. Even with less energy, he relished working on electronics, deep sea fishing, going to the gun range to practice long distance rifle shooting, and cooking for his family.

He held great pride in hosting his mother, his siblings, and their children at the family home for dinner parties and the holidays. He loved to learn and loved to teach and is remembered fondly by his family and students alike. His daughter has often mentioned her maiden name to a stranger only to have them ask if she was related to John Stranahan, their favorite teacher. He and his mother, Rose, passed away 5 days apart.

John is preceded in death by his mother and father, Rose and Louis Stranahan Sr. He is survived by his daughter Casey Stranahan Murphy, her husband Shayne Murphy, his grandchildren, Ash and River Murphy, and his siblings: Susan (George), Louis Jr (Karen), Paul (Janet) and Ralph (Lourdes).

In lieu of flowers, please donate in John’s memory to SEARCH Houston or to the charity of your choice in his honor: www.searchhomeless.org/donate/

Services will be combined with his mother, Rose, and are as follows:

Visitation on Friday May 10, 2024, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m.

At Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home 6900 Lawndale Street Houston, TX 77023

Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Warren chapel St Dominic Village 2401 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77021

Grave side services and reception will follow the Funeral Mass.