John Joseph Stempien

John Joseph “JJ” Stempien, 46, of Temple, Texas, passed away on March 1, 2023. JJ was born on December 8, 1976, to Peter and Charlie Stempien in Houston, Texas. He grew up in Houston, Texas, with his younger sister, often engaged in knocking on neighbors’ doors and asking the other kids to come out and play tag, ride bikes, or play baseball or basketball in the street. JJ was passionate about sports, particularly basketball, football, and baseball, throughout his lifetime. He loved fishing, knee boarding, and skateboarding. He earned a blue belt in taekwondo. He was in gifted and talented classes in grade school and was often referred to as a prodigy when it came to playing the piano and the flute. He often held first chair in the band and orchestra in middle school and high school. JJ attended St. Thomas College Preparatory High School and worked many jobs while he was a high school student, including working at the Astroworld theme park. He was an avid reader and loved to get lost in a good book. He loved exploring computers and technology.

JJ attended St. Leo University and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Business Administration. He pursued a career as a technology consultant, ensuring that companies made the best use of their technology. During this time, JJ met his dearly loved wife, Abby, and they married. Soon after, they became parents to their wonderful son, Gabriel. JJ loved being a husband and a father. He cherished spending time with his family and you could often find Gabriel right alongside him at a football or basketball game or just spending time together whenever they could.

JJ was passionate about his line of work and embraced being a collaborative colleague to many. He cherished and valued his PDI work family very much and he often talked about his co-workers and the good times they shared. JJ loved helping anyone who might have needed help and was often ready to roll up his sleeves and assist where he could. JJ was a loving and devoted friend to many and he is known for having a big smile and a contagious laugh. He acquired many hobbies in his adult life, including t-shirt printing, tailgating, brewing beer, making mead, narrating books, coin collecting, raising chickens, and growing food. JJ often touched the earth with his hands, cultivating the soil, and bringing food from his farm directly to his families table. JJ loved taking family vacations. He and Abby enjoyed trips to Las Vegas. He recently went to Oberammergau, Germany, on a father-son trip, in August of 2022. He was a passionate Texas A&M University sports fan, Houston Astros Baseball fan, and Houston Texans Football fan.

JJ is survived by his wife Abby, son Gabriel, father Peter, sister Laurie (Maria), and numerous and cherished cousins, aunts and uncles. He is predeceased by his mother, Carlotta “Charlie”.

JJ will be greatly missed by many. He lived his life in love and acts of service to others. He was the embodiment of a tender nurturer, who never knew a stranger. He always looked on the bright side of life and loved to laugh and be happy. During this difficult time, we are comforted by the outpour of love, support, and precious and cherished memories that his friends and family have shared with us, and our hearts are filled with gratitude.

Celebration of life services will be held in two locations: March 16, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home, 3220 south 31st street , Temple, Texas 76502 AND on March 20th, 2023 Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m at St. Jerome Catholic Church,

8825 Kempwood Dr, Houston, Texas 77080

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerstemple.com for the Stempien family.