John H. Van Voorhis
Col. John Howard Van Voorhis, USAF (Ret.), age 93, passed away peacefully at home on May 27, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. He is predeceased by his father Howard Gould Van Voorhis, his mother Vivian Van Voorhis Sanford, his step-father Earl C. Sanford, and his two sisters Dorothy Dennis and Marilynn Ross. He recently lost his best friend of 85 years, Harmon G. Williams of Ogden, Utah. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jo Rene DeMaio Van Voorhis and his brother-in-law, Morris W. Ross of Petaluma, California. He leaves behind his three children; daughter Cynthia Van Voorhis Allshouse and husband J.D. Bucky Allshouse of Houston; daughter Celia Van Voorhis Barr and husband John H. Barr of Dallas; and son Christopher John van Voorhees. His four grandchildren; Mary Christian Barr (age 19), Chance Christopher Allshouse (age 9), Chandler Van Voorhis Allshouse (age 9), and Channing Dale Allshouse (age 9) will remember their grandfather with great love and affection. Extended family in Ft. Worth, Texas includes Sheila and Jim Pedigo, Louis and Sally Harris, and Ron and Judy Harris. Additional extended family includes Thomas N. Dennis and wife Concha of Denman Island, British Columbia, Michael J. Dennis of Denman Island, British Columbia, and Katherine A. Pond and husband Rick. He will be missed by former law partner and friend Eugene B. Sisk. Also, he leaves special family friends, Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Reed and family. Van, as he was known by family and colleagues, was born on July 4, 1914 in Jackson, Michigan. His date of birth heralded a lifelong commitment to patriotism and service to his country. In his youth, he worked for the United States Forestry Service, living in rustic and isolated locations. His love and respect for the environment was something he valued and instilled in others, throughout his life. His appreciation for learning and the importance of formal education was another lifelong trait. He not only acted on this belief personally, but always encouraged his family, peers, legal staff, and clients to seek higher educational degrees because he knew their value for increasing the opportunities for a better quality of life. Graduating from Ogden High School in 1931, he enrolled in the University of Utah, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Beta Epsilon Chapter, an affiliation that lasted for more than 78 years. While attending Loyola Law School he chose to enlist in the Army when the United States joined the Allies in World War II. He was proud to accept any assignment and traveled across the Atlantic to serve in North Africa and Italy. Upon returning from the war, he was sent to Harvard Business School, and attained the rank of Major before leaving the military to complete his law degree at Southern Methodist University. Shortly after receiving his Doctorate of Jurisprudence and entering private practice in Ft. Worth, Texas, he was recalled to service during the Korean Crisis. He again willingly left the private sector to serve his country, which resulted in a total of 26 years of dedicated military service. Theatres of operations in which he served included Nagoya, Japan; The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base; Headquarters Southern Air Command, Panama Canal Zone; and, March Air Force Base, California. One of his most fulfilling and gratifying life accomplishments was his admittance to practice law before the United States Supreme Court which was sponsored in 1958 by Senator Arthur U. Watkins of Utah. Upon retirement as a Colonel from the Staff Judge Advocate USAF, he served as an Assistant District Attorney of Bexar County located in San Antonio, Texas. He began his private law practice in Universal City, Texas in 1971 with Eugene B. Sisk, a friendship and partnership that spanned more than 54 years. In keeping with his strong belief in service to his country and his community, Van served the City of Converse as Mayor (1979-1981), as City Attorney (1982-1984), and finally as Municipal Judge (1984-2002). This service to his community and the City of Converse was for a total of 23 years. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas, the San Antonio Bar Association, and a member of the Air Force Retired Judge Advocates Association. He was also a Charter Member of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Van loved his wife and children dearly, providing wise counsel and encouragement through difficulties and taking great pride in their accomplishments. He was always a gentleman with graceful effortless manners and a belief in preserving integrity and honor above all else. His departure from the physical world will leave a great void in the lives of all who knew him. Chaplain Col. (Ret.) Steven T. Sill, Wing Chaplain United States Air Force at Randolph Air Force Base, has provided spiritual counseling and support to our family. He made in home visits to meet and pray with Van and our family, which was a comfort to us all. With the gift of his kind manner and time, he facilitated our quest to provide dignity, love, and faith at journey's end. The family recognizes with gratitude the patience, concern, and excellent medical care provided by Dr. Praful Mehta. Dr. Mehta's diligence and encouragement supported the family's efforts to provide the best quality of care, while allowing Van to remain in his home. The family wishes to express their special appreciation to Dr. Christopher A. Bogaev who provided outstanding surgical care and expertise, and with whom there was a rare relationship of shared mutual respect and affection between doctor and patient. The family will forever be grateful to Dr. Bogaev. We also wish to thank Alicia Sweeden, RN, and AMED Community Hospice for their excellent support. Very special thanks are extended to caregivers Mildred Barajas, Isaac M. Dominguez, Vernice Guinn, Lakeeta Johnson, Margaret Jones, Jacki Tribble and Belinda Santillan for their kind and gentle care. In the last year of his life, and especially the final days, Mildred and Isaac demonstrated exceptional loyalty and devotion. Their special gifts and abilities made it possible for Judge Van to remain happy and peaceful in his home and enabled his final wishes to be honored. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at Porter Loring Mortuary North. SERVICE THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2008 2:00 P.M. RANDOLPH AFB CHAPEL ONE A private family interment ceremony with full military honors will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chief Rick Jamison, Chief of Police, Converse, Texas; Officer Ray Moehrig; and the Officers of the Converse Police Department. The honorary pallbearers are: Chance Christopher Allshouse, J.D. Bucky Allshouse, John H. Barr, John W. Benbow, Isaac M. Dominguez, Louis T. Harris, Jr., Ron Harris, Craig A. Martin, James M. Pedigo, M.C. Reed, Morris W. Ross, Eugene B. Sisk, Christopher J. van Voorhees. For those desiring, contributions in memory of John H. Van Voorhis may be directed to The Network School. The mission of The Network School is to enable young children with special needs to become independent and socially active. The school has made it possible for his granddaughter, Chandler Van Voorhis Allshouse, to make great progress in her quest to reach her potential intellectually and to attain greater independence. The importance of education leading to independence was one of his strongest beliefs and he was a great champion of Chandler's abilities and her progress in these areas. The Network School, c/o Melissa Larson, Director, 1625 West Main, Houston, Texas 77006. You are invited to sign the Guestbook at http://www.porterloring.com/ Arrangements with Porter Loring M Published in the Express-News on 6/2/2008.
