John Robert Sechrist was born on April 12, 1931 in Springfield, OH to George and Anne Sechrist. John’s grandfather Henry, a United Brethren minister, had relocated the family from York, PA to the Dayton, OH area. John was the younger brother of his only sibling, George ‘Bud’ Sechrist.
John was the inspirational leader and patriarch of a very large, devoted family, including a loving wife of 51 years, 6 children, 30 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren at the time of his passing. Faith was important during his life, especially in the final decades. “Trust in the Lord” from Proverbs 22:19 became one of John’s favorite Bible verses. He was a member of Southbrook Christian Church.
John attended Fairview High School before studying at Georgetown University and then ultimately landing at the United States Military Academy with the Class of ’55. He was appointed to West Point from the 3rd Congressional District of Ohio and entered on July 5, 1950. John was in Company B-1 and a cadet lieutenant his First Class year. John was involved in the Debate Council and Special Programs Committee, as well as clubs for Radio, Fishing, and Portuguese. He graduated on June 7, 1955 and was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force.
John and Georgene Anderson married in the West Point Chapel following graduation. He served five years in the Air Force, starting in Denver, CO in the Atomic Weapons division. The couple’s first child, Eric, was born in Denver. John was reassigned to Maine, where daughter Anne was born. The family moved overseas to Okinawa, and when they returned to the States their family now had daughters Patricia and Elise in tow.
John returned to civilian life in 1961, working at his father’s refrigeration equipment company in Dayton. Son Kevin arrived in 1962. In 1964, they moved into the Far Hills family home, which would serve as John’s final resting place 42 joyous years later. The home is now part of the Kettering Foundation.
John founded Authorized Service Inc. in 1969 in Dayton. He grew the appliance service and parts company to a successful multi-state operation in Tampa, FL; Boston, MA; and Orlando, FL. John was a past president of the Dayton Sales Executive organization. Later, he would help start the South’s first compact disc store chain, Atlanta CD, with his son Kevin. He officially retired in 1996.
John was active in homeschooling activities and teaching his youngest child, Kristen, who arrived in 1973. John was an avid tennis fan, playing actively up until his final year. The sports lover was a supporter of the Boston Celtics, the Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine, UD Flyer basketball, Army football, and Coach K’s mighty Duke Blue Devils. He was also a lifelong Republican.
John also acted as commodore of the Corey Lake (Michigan) Yacht Club and later spent quality spare time with Georgene in Naples, FL. Besides presiding over the large growing family, John’s other passions included nature and trees. America now has hundreds more trees thanks to John’s nurturing of tiny acorns and saplings from around the country.
After fighting cancer in his final year, John went to his heavenly home on July 30, 2006, surrounded by the immediate family. In addition to wife Georgene and six children, John is survived by numerous in-laws and nieces and nephews. His loving spirit lives on.
— Kevin Sechrist, son