John C. Mr. Lile

John C. Lile, 80, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2017. Loved by countless people, John was born on May 25, 1937 to Estel and Verna Lile in Overland Park, Kansas. They moved to North Platte, Nebraska 12 days later, where John spent his growing up years.

He was the oldest of four boys. His love of music started early on. While in kindergarten, he would come home and pick out tunes on the piano of songs they were singing in school. He started taking piano lessons at the age of 6. In high school, he accompanied various school groups and classes on the piano. Being raised in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, he went on to graduate from Brigham Young University where he earned a Master's Degree in Music Theory with a minor in Organ. He began taking organ when his piano instructor, who also taught organ, said that he had heard that John might like to take organ. He was delighted to do so and he learned on an organ that had been in the Mormon Tabernacle and was given to the university when it was replaced with a new one.

After college John moved to Washington D.C. and took a job with a Savings and Loan while continuing to study organ. Two years later, friends suggested that he needed a change and urged him to move to San Antonio where he started his teaching career. He taught all levels but found his place teaching elementary students, having been trained in the Kodaly method and specializing in elementary music. He was an active member of the American Guild of Organists, Alamo Chapter, earning the professional certification of Associateship (AAGO), signifying the attainment of high standards in organ performance proficiency and knowledge. John was organist/choirmaster at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church for over 38 years. He built up OHPC's choral music program, acquiring an enviable music library, raising the bar of musicality in the ministry under his tutelage. He played the full range of organ literature at worship and other occasions for the betterment of the OHPC worshiping community to the Glory of God. Before that, he was organist at Travis Park United Methodist Church for 9 years. He accompanied and directed The Village Voices at Air Force Village for several years. He accompanied The Cadenza Singers of the Extended Run Players at the University of the Incarnate Word, and also played the calliope at NIOSA during the '80's. He played for Super Adults once a month at Laurel Heights Methodist Church and also played Midnight Mass at St. Gregory's Catholic Church for several years. This was after playing two Christmas Eve services at OHPC.

All those who knew John, knew that he was always ready with a good joke and he always loved to hear one. He was an excellent joke teller and wasn't shy about sharing them with anyone that he met. He also operated a ham radio from the time he was in his teens, and he communicated with people all over the world on it. John was loved and highly respected by all those who knew him. He touched many, many lives with his talents and his endearing humor. He will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Estel and Verna Lile and his brother, Lowell Lile. John is survived by his brothers Clark Lile and David (Janet) Lile, sister-in-law Pam Lile, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews and a host of friends who loved and cared for him deeply. There will be a memorial service for John on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at l pm at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, located at 6739 Callaghan Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229. For those desiring to do so, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of John to the American Guild of Organists, Alamo Chapter, 6739 Callaghan Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229, Attn: Music Dept.