John F Mc Fall

John Francis McFall or passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Temple, Texas on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010. John was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 11, 1924 to Martin and Inez McFall. From an early age his life exemplified love, commitment and service - to his church, his country and his family. At the age of 13, he enrolled as a Novitiate of the Brothers of Christian Schools at LaSalle Institute where he spent his young adult years answering God's call to educate young people isolated by poverty. Upon separating from the order in the summer of 1943, John served his country as second ammunition bearer in Company E of the 141st infantry regiment of the 36th infantry division of the Texas National Guard, participating in the battle campaigns of Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe and Southern France Invasion. At wars end, upon graduating from Officer Candidate School as a second lieutenant, he was commander of the 4167th Labor Supervision Company whose mission was to supervise and ad minister a German Prisoner of War Camp. John was decorated with the Bronze Star and Com bat Infantry Badge and earned the Unit Presidential Citation as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 141st Infantry for defense of Hill 393 in the Colmar Pocket. Johns commitment to the armed services continued throughout his life first in the National Guard from which he retired as a Lt. Colonel and subsequently in the brotherhood of World War II veterans. Following his military service, John led a rich and fulfilling life as a chief estimator on multi-million dollar projects in the commercial construction industry, and as a loving husband, father of seven children and grandfather of ten. He will always be remembered for his gregarious personality, engaging smile, beautiful deep warm voice and exuberant laugh. He had a passion for life that included sports, music, the arts and especially ball room dancing. John lived life with real spirit, generosity, courage, and love. He was much loved in return and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nina McFall; his second wife, Martha McFall; and son, Gary McFall. He is survived by his brother, Bernard McFall of Elmhurst, NY; sister, Inez McFall of Lexington, TX; his children, John McFall and wife Paige McFall of Atlanta, GA, Loretta Gordon and husband Mike Gordon of Jarrell, TX, Angela Norris and husband Mike Norris of Pleasant Hill, MO, Nina McFall of Bremerton, WA, Marcella McFall of Guadalupe, CA, Valerie and husband Darren Toews of Calgary Canada, Bill Szakovits and wife Janet of Winter Springs, FL, Richard Szakovits and wife Irene of Bonita CA, David Szakovits and wife Jean Marie of Melbourne Beach, FL; grandchildren, Amy Mitchell, Allison Szakovits, Joseph Szakovits, Alex Szakovits, Joseph McFall, Natalie Norris, Daniel Szakovits, Robin Marie Szakovits, Stella Blu McFall and Tallulah Tate McFall. Family and friends are invited to attend his memorial service on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 11:30 am at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955.