John Willie Lockhart

John Willie Lockhart July 6, 1931 August 11, 2008 John Willie Lockhart, age 77, of Waco, Texas, passed away on August 11, 2008, after a long illness. There will be a time for reflections for John beginning at 2:30 p.m., prior to the Service of Faith celebrating John's life, which will be held on Saturday, August 23, at 3:00 p.m. at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 1212 North 5th Street, Waco, Texas. Committal of Remains with military honors will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. John was born to Horace Lester Lockhart and Mamie McDowell Lockhart on July 6, 1931, in Piper, Alabama. He spent his earliest years in West Blocton, Alabama, with his family and his boyhood with his eldest brother, Cornelius Lockhart and his wife, Effie, graduating from high school in Mann, West Virginia. As a young man, John played baseball with the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, in the Negro Baseball Leagues. John entered the Air Force at age 20, serving for twenty-two years, stationed at various bases throughout the United States as well as France and Japan. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, flying medical evacuation. At the end of his military career in 1972, John attended Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas. He had a second career as a medical technician at the VA Medical Center in Waco. John had a passion for baseball and youth activities. He played baseball while in the military for various base teams, coached his sons' Little League teams, and acted as an umpire for more than 20 years with the SBUA-Waco Chapter. John spoke with regret of missing the opportunity to play Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox due to reenlistment in the Air Force. John was involved with service to people throughout his life. He worked at sporting events for the Waco Independent School District and volunteered for a variety of youth activities and camps through Mount Zion UMC and within his community. After retirement he continued to be a contributor to his church, attending services faithfully and serving on church boards and committees. He supported the broader church community through participation with the United Methodist Men. John enjoyed working with young adults, helping them to further their education through Project Love sponsored by the Adult Education Department at MCC. John was also a member of the Central Texas Literacy Coalition. John cherished his extended family. He attended his beloved annual Lockhart family reunion as often as possible. Many of these family members will be with us in thought and prayer during John's service. Family members mourning his loss include his wife, Margaret Lockhart; sons, Reginald Lockhart of Austin, and Kenneth Lockhart of Waco; grandsons, Reggie, Jr., Arron and Jeremy; stepchildren, Ben Lenz and Carmen, and Elsa Lenz Kothe and Scott; brothers, William Lockhart and Lilly Ruth, Charles Lockhart and Brenda; sisters, Bessie Brown, Annie Marie Lockhart, Dorothy Blair and Steven, and Fannie Gordon and William; as well as a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends including his church family and neighbors in Chalk Bluff. Honorary pallbearers will be the United Methodist Men. We are grateful for the care and concern extended during John's illness. Sincerest thanks is expressed to our families near and far, the church family at Mount Zion UMC, Providence Hospice staffKathleen, Charles, Debbie and Doug; Temple VA Hematology/Oncology and Hospice Care units, Primary Care teams at VA Waco and VA Madison, WI.; co-workers, neighbors and friends. Memorials in John's name may be made to Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Drive, Suite 2, Waco, Texas 76710 or Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 1212 N. 5th Street, Waco, Texas 76707. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey