Obituary of John Strycula

John Alexander Strycula was born on September 28, 1926 in Isabella, Pennsylvania. On November 23, 2012, at the age of 86, in Banning, California, he began his heavenly life. His loving wife and family members were by his side. John's life was very blessed and he lived it to the fullest. He grew up in Brownsville, Pennsylvania and was a 4 year starter on the baseball team. After high school he joined the Navy and also had a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates until he suffered an arm injury. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1953 and in 1954 entered the teaching & coaching profession at Jefferson, Ohio. John moved his family to California in 1958 and was the first football coach at Charter Oak High School where his team won 3 championships in 4 years. He then moved on to Glendora High School, winning 3 championships in 5 years. John was hired at Citrus College in 1967 and eventually retired in 1986. After 19 years of hard work and dedication, John was inducted into the community college football "Hall of Game." He spent his retirement years enjoying his family, especially his grandchildren & great grandchildren, whom he absolutely adored. John is survived by Mary Ann, his wife of 64 years; sister, Mabel Stevens; brother, Joseph Strycula; 3 sons, Jon (wife, Marty), Bill (wife, Rhonda), and Jeff (wife, Teresa); 10 grandchildren, Shauna, Johnny, Joey, Chris, Bryan, Jenny, Leeann, Leslie, Andrew & Joseph; 9 great grandchildren, Hayden, Logan, Alison, Tyler, Gracie, Sydnie, Payton, Christian & Landon. Memorial Services will be held at Beaumont Presbyterian Church, 702 Euclid Ave, Beaumont at 11:00AM, Saturday, December 1, 2012. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Alzheimer's Association, 760-328-6767, 69730 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 91730.