John Arthur Meyer

December 17, 2020. He was born April 7, 1941 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Clement and Harriet

Meyer. John was one of 7 children and the oldest of three boys. As a boy John delivered the

Milwaukee Journal newspaper and advanced from newspaper deliverer to Station then district

manager and truck driver earning money to attend Marquette University High School and

Marquette University. He completed his undergraduate degree in accounting at Marquette

University and worked for a year at Price Waterhouse.

John lived a life of service. He entered the Peace Corps and spent two years helping to set up

credit unions for teachers in Ecuador. Returning to the U.S. he spent three years preparing for

the priesthood with the Maryknoll Fathers during which he earned a Masters Degree in

Theology. After making the decision to not go further in his training for the priesthood he left the

seminary.

In 1970 John moved to Phoenix, AZ and was married to his beloved wife of 50 plus years Mary

Ann (Welsh) and began what was a lifetime of ministry in the Catholic Church. He served as

Director of Catechetics for one year for both St. Maria Gorretti’s parish and St . Joseph’s

parishes. Subsequently he served only at St. Joseph’s parish. He was ordained a permanent

deacon in 1973 and ministered in this capacity at St. Joseph’s parish until he was reassigned to

St. Bernadette’s parish and then to St. Patrick’s parish in Scottsdale. He was also very active in

Ecumenism and Interfaith ministry.

John completed a Masters degree in Religious Education in 1977 at Seattle University. In 1981

he was made Diocesan Director of Religious Education for the Roman Catholic diocese of

Phoenix and served in this position for 25 years until he retired June 1, 2006. His passion was

the formation of lay leadership in the field of Catechetics. He also served on several regional

and international Catechetical boards. Based on his personal experience belonging to two small

faith communities he strongly encouraged their formation. After retiring, John and Mary Ann

gathered together a group of like-minded people and formed a local Maryknoll Affiliates group.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Marilyn Garcia. John was a beloved

husband, father and grandfather, faithful friend and mentor to many. He is survived by his wife,

Mary Ann, his two children, Peter (Michelle) daughter Maureen (Manuel) and five Grandchildren:

Diana, Anthony, Emiliano, Kyle, and Matias as well as his siblings Mariette (Frank), Sr.

Maureen, MM., James (Sue), Joseph (Judy), and Miriam (Richard).

He will be sorely missed by family, and many friends whose lives he touched with his warmth,

gentleness, caring and listening heart. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Community on June 25 2021 at 11AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

St. Patrick Catholic Community, 10815 N. 84th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85260

The Maryknoll Sisters, PO Box 311, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0311

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, PO Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

You musn’t tie yourself to me with tears.

Just be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess,

How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

But now it’s time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must,

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part,

So bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life goes on,

So if you need me, call, and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.

And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear

All of my love around you, soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone,

I’ll greet you with a smile, and say

“Welcome Home.”