In Memory

John Classen

John Classen

MONROE JOHN CLASSEN

MARCH 13, 1952 - NOVEMBER 2, 2021

Monroe John Classen Jr. (Johnny),beloved father, Grandpa, brother, Uncle, and friend passed away on November 2nd, 2021, in the home he was born in on Redland Road.

Johnny was born on March 13, 1952, in San Antonio to the late Monroe and Roselyn (McLean) Classen. He grew up on the Classen ranch with his three siblings. He spent his childhood helping his mama in the chicken house and doing all of the typical country boy things- gardening, fishing and hunting. He loved telling stories about his childhood- a favorite was a hunting trip that ended in him accidentally shooting himself in the foot (literally)!

He graduated from MacArthur High School in 1970. He held onto many of his friends from school, attending every class reunion he could and kept in touch with them up until the time of his death.

Johnny was a father to 8 children with former wife, Celia: Mark, Vicky, MJ, Lara,Lynn, Lisa, John, and Chris. He was a simple man that enjoyed treasure hunting, coin collecting, and making sure no one ever spent a wheat penny. His kids got half dollars from the tooth fairy, and learned to appreciate all things antique. He loved collecting old bottles and antique tools- one of his favorite pastimes was searching for these treasures at estate sales. He never met a yard sale he didn’t love!

Driving through town with the family would often entail Johnny recounting stories of his childhood, making sure to point out landmarks and each memory attached.

Johnny learned at a young age how to fix just about anything. He turned this skill set into a successful career- he went on to own his own repair shop, Ace Lawn & Garden. He was so loved by all his customers. Not a day went by where he didn’t run into someone he had helped in the past- they would always stop to tell him how much he helped them and how they missed having him to go to when they needed something fixed right after he closed up shop.

In 2013, Johnny retired and sold his shop. He spent the next eight years renovating the family home on Redland, the house he grew up in. For the first time in decades, the chicken house had chickens in it and the gardens overflowed with fresh vegetables. He loved spending time out there with his grandchildren. They would pick weeds for hours and they collected eggs together every evening. He was very proud of all of the work he put into restoring his childhood home and when visitors would come to see him, he would proudly show it off.

The last year of his life, Johnny courageously fought Esophageal Cancer. He never complained, never lost hope- he took every chemo treatment like a champ and still went home most days and worked around his ranch. Most people didn’t even realize he had cancer, he never made it a big deal. He was so brave and was committed to fighting the good fight.

He is preceded in death by his father, Monroe John Classen in 1968, his mother, Roselyn McClean in 2004, his sister, Shirley Lee in 2011, and his son, Mark Classen in 2019. Johnny is survived by his daughter, Vicky Classen, his son, Mj Classen and his wife Laura and his grandchildren-Monroe, Ian, and Mackenzie, his daughter Lara Classen and her wife, Shannon, his daughter Lynn Classen, his daughter Lisa Classen, his son John Classen and his granddaughter, Scarlett, and his son Chris Classen. He is also survived by his sister, Vina Bushman and her husband LaVarre Bushman, and his brother, William T. (Billy) Classen. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews that he loved so much: Mark and Todd Lee, Lena, Yvette, Natalie, Sarah, and Lindsea Classen.

The family will hold a viewing on November 18th, from 5:00-9:00 pm and a funeral November 19th at 1:00pm at Porter Loring North. He will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial, right next to his beloved Mama.

**********************************************************

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 18th, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, Texas 78232 - (210) 495-8221


A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 19th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, Texas 78232 - (210) 495-8221

Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218 -
(210) 828-2811.

 

https://www.porterloring.com/obituaries/Monroe-John-Classen?obId=23035615#/obituaryInfo