John Wesley Steen Sr., was born on October 28, 1923 in Waynesburg, Mississippi. He was the 2nd of five (5) children born to Eddie and Roberta Richards-Steen. On December 30, 2020 at the age of 97 while residing at Clear View Sanitarium in Gardena, California, John was called home.
John spent his early years in Jackson, Mississippi and enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. He reached the rank of Sargent First Class and was a veteran of World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. In 1947, John was joined in holy matrimony to Johnnie Mae Jenkins and together they were parents to four (4) children: Glenn, Roberta, John Jr., and Rosa.
After 25 years of military service, John retired from the Army with full honors and moved his family to Los Angeles, California. He worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for 17 years and obtained an Associate of Arts Degree through evening part-time classes at Southwest Community College. He also worked part-time for the Los Angeles Dodgers for 17 years and enjoyed getting to know the players who often called him “Pops”.
John worked hard to achieve his many accomplishments, including graduating from barber college and receiving his barber’s license. He cut hair at a barber shop on Saturdays during the baseball offseason.
In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf with his friends at Chester Washington Golf Course.
John and Johnnie have been members of the Normandie Church of Christ for 48 years. John served as a Deacon and managed the Benevolence Program for many years.
John was preceded into glory by both parents, three (3) brothers: Tom, Milton, Sammie, a sister Carola, and a son John Wesley Steen, Jr.
Cherishing his memories are: His devoted wife of 73 years, Johnnie; children: Glenn and his wife Diana of St Louis, Missouri, Roberta of Kansas City, Missouri, Jorena Lee and her husband Abraham of St. Paul, Minnesota, Rosa Phillips and her husband Darryl of Walnut, California; nephews and nieces: Eddie and his wife Princella, Bertha Horne and her husband William, Tom, Joann Harris and her husband Chris; grandchildren: Sharice Gaston, Michael, John II, John III, William Hill Sr., Brian Phillips, Sean, and Michelle; great-grandchildren: Precious, Joy, Faith, Williams Hill Jr., Elijah, Isaiah; great-great grandchildren: Adrielle, Lorenzo Whitfield, and Kaidence; other relatives and friends.
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