Popular ROCK103 radio personality in Memphis, TN. While he was reknown for his on-air antics, including numerous Twilight Phone pranks, he was generous with a soft, caring side. He was a long-term supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House with on-air marathon fund-raising events. Although he helped raise over $7 million for cancer patients and their families, he was also known for spending many hours personally with the children, trying to brighten their lives.
John Alexander McCormack, beloved father, brother, uncle and friend, died on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Methodist University Hospital after an 18-month battle with leukemia. Born in Memphis on June 18, 1955, the ninth child of Emma and Harold McCormack, John spent his entire life serving the people of the city he loved so much. John began his storied comedic career at a very early age. As a young boy, his older brothers loved to set him on a chair in the middle of the family room and encourage him to perform his spot-on impersonations of such legendary Memphians as Mayor Henry Loeb and Memphis football coach Billy "Spook" Murphy. His talent as a mimic was exceptional and he gleefully tormented family and friends with prank phone calls, which later evolved into the hilarious "Twilight Phone" segments on Rock 103. A graduate of White Station High School, John was a member of the Spartan baseball and football teams; was elected sophomore and senior class president; was named to the Hall of Fame as "Friendliest" by his classmates; and cheered for the Spartans his senior year, the only year men have ever participated on the cheerleading squad. He studied journalism at Memphis State University for three years and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. John's professional acting and comedic career began in 1979 when he won the talent competition at Number One Beale. This led to a career in Hollywood, where John performed at the legendary Comedy Store, appearing with such renowned comics as Robin Williams and Jonathon Winters. He became so well-known for his amazing imitation of Muhammad Ali, that Ali's manager brought John to Ali's home to perform for the boxing legend in person. He also appeared in several films, including the cult classic Suburbia. John returned to Memphis in 1984 and focused on his acting. He starred in productions at the Gaslight Theater and the Circuit Playhouse, and travelled the country performing on the dinner theater circuit. In 1988, John joined "The Wake Up Crew" with Tim Spencer and Bev Hart on Rock 103. After the station underwent a management change in 2006, John was paired with Ric Chetter. John's hilarious on-air antics and wicked sense of humor entertained us all. His thousands of area listeners and fans repeatedly voted John The Memphis Flyer's "Best of Memphis" radio personality each year for more than 20 years. In 2011, his peers awarded him the Mid-South Radio & Music Conference Broadcast Community Achievement Award. Of all his many professional accolades and accomplishments, however, John was most proud of the work he did on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, which serves juvenile cancer patients treated at St. Jude's. For 20 years, John devoted himself to the children and families served by the charity, raising millions of dollars through on-air radiothons and local fundraising events. As John underwent his own grueling treatment for cancer, he often stated that what he was going through was nothing compared to what the children of St. Jude's endured. John's unwavering faith, indomitable spirit, selfless generosity and unfailing sense of humor will serve as an inspiration to us all. His great capacity for love is unsurpassed. Throughout his illness, John displayed tremendous courage and complete devotion to his Lord. Last week, after being hospitalized for yet another relapse and learning that his bone marrow transplant had failed, John was asked by a friend if there was anything specific he would like to request for her prayer group to pray on his behalf. John responded, "No specific prayer concerns for me. Just pray that all my decisions and actions be directed by God." John will be joining his mother, father and brother, James. He leaves behind his precious sons, Tucker and Buck, whom he loved more than anything; his siblings, Joyce McCormack Vezina (Bob); Harold McCormack (Beverly); Tony McCormack (Nancy); Joe McCormack (Cheryl); Jackie McCormack Hill; Sharon McCormack Greenwood (Rick); Randolph McCormack; Timothy McCormack (Patty); sister-in-law Ann Gordon McCormack; 24 nieces and nephews; 31 great-nieces and nephews; and his best friends, Tommy Loeb, Rocky Kasaftes and Bill Daniel. John's family and friends invite the public to celebrate his life at a service on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Hope Presbyterian Church, with interment in the Columbarium of Church of the Holy Communion and reception in Cheney Parish Hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, to the "John McCormack Trust" at any First Tennessee Bank branch, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors (Published in The Commercial Appeal on March 13, 2011)
John Alexander McCormack, beloved father, brother, uncle and friend, died on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Methodist University Hospital after an 18-month battle with leukemia. Born in Memphis on June 18, 1955, the ninth child of Emma and Harold McCormack, John spent his entire life serving the people of the city he loved so much. John began his storied comedic career at a very early age. As a young boy, his older brothers loved to set him on a chair in the middle of the family room and encourage him to perform his spot-on impersonations of such legendary Memphians as Mayor Henry Loeb and Memphis football coach Billy "Spook" Murphy. His talent as a mimic was exceptional and he gleefully tormented family and friends with prank phone calls, which later evolved into the hilarious "Twilight Phone" segments on Rock 103. A graduate of White Station High School, John was a member of the Spartan baseball and football teams; was elected sophomore and senior class president; was named to the Hall of Fame as "Friendliest" by his classmates; and cheered for the Spartans his senior year, the only year men have ever participated on the cheerleading squad. He studied journalism at Memphis State University for three years and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. John's professional acting and comedic career began in 1979 when he won the talent competition at Number One Beale. This led to a career in Hollywood, where John performed at the legendary Comedy Store, appearing with such renowned comics as Robin Williams and Jonathon Winters. He became so well-known for his amazing imitation of Muhammad Ali, that Ali's manager brought John to Ali's home to perform for the boxing legend in person. He also appeared in several films, including the cult classic Suburbia. John returned to Memphis in 1984 and focused on his acting. He starred in productions at the Gaslight Theater and the Circuit Playhouse, and travelled the country performing on the dinner theater circuit. In 1988, John joined "The Wake Up Crew" with Tim Spencer and Bev Hart on Rock 103. After the station underwent a management change in 2006, John was paired with Ric Chetter. John's hilarious on-air antics and wicked sense of humor entertained us all. His thousands of area listeners and fans repeatedly voted John The Memphis Flyer's "Best of Memphis" radio personality each year for more than 20 years. In 2011, his peers awarded him the Mid-South Radio & Music Conference Broadcast Community Achievement Award. Of all his many professional accolades and accomplishments, however, John was most proud of the work he did on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, which serves juvenile cancer patients treated at St. Jude's. For 20 years, John devoted himself to the children and families served by the charity, raising millions of dollars through on-air radiothons and local fundraising events. As John underwent his own grueling treatment for cancer, he often stated that what he was going through was nothing compared to what the children of St. Jude's endured. John's unwavering faith, indomitable spirit, selfless generosity and unfailing sense of humor will serve as an inspiration to us all. His great capacity for love is unsurpassed. Throughout his illness, John displayed tremendous courage and complete devotion to his Lord. Last week, after being hospitalized for yet another relapse and learning that his bone marrow transplant had failed, John was asked by a friend if there was anything specific he would like to request for her prayer group to pray on his behalf. John responded, "No specific prayer concerns for me. Just pray that all my decisions and actions be directed by God." John will be joining his mother, father and brother, James. He leaves behind his precious sons, Tucker and Buck, whom he loved more than anything; his siblings, Joyce McCormack Vezina (Bob); Harold McCormack (Beverly); Tony McCormack (Nancy); Joe McCormack (Cheryl); Jackie McCormack Hill; Sharon McCormack Greenwood (Rick); Randolph McCormack; Timothy McCormack (Patty); sister-in-law Ann Gordon McCormack; 24 nieces and nephews; 31 great-nieces and nephews; and his best friends, Tommy Loeb, Rocky Kasaftes and Bill Daniel. John's family and friends invite the public to celebrate his life at a service on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Hope Presbyterian Church, with interment in the Columbarium of Church of the Holy Communion and reception in Cheney Parish Hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, to the "John McCormack Trust" at any First Tennessee Bank branch, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors (Published in The Commercial Appeal on March 13, 2011)
Popular ROCK103 radio personality in Memphis, TN. While he was reknown for his on-air antics, including numerous Twilight Phone pranks, he was generous with a soft, caring side. He was a long-term supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House with on-air marathon fund-raising events. Although he helped raise over $7 million for cancer patients and their families, he was also known for spending many hours personally with the children, trying to brighten their lives.
John Alexander McCormack, beloved father, brother, uncle and friend, died on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Methodist University Hospital after an 18-month battle with leukemia. Born in Memphis on June 18, 1955, the ninth child of Emma and Harold McCormack, John spent his entire life serving the people of the city he loved so much. John began his storied comedic career at a very early age. As a young boy, his older brothers loved to set him on a chair in the middle of the family room and encourage him to perform his spot-on impersonations of such legendary Memphians as Mayor Henry Loeb and Memphis football coach Billy "Spook" Murphy. His talent as a mimic was exceptional and he gleefully tormented family and friends with prank phone calls, which later evolved into the hilarious "Twilight Phone" segments on Rock 103. A graduate of White Station High School, John was a member of the Spartan baseball and football teams; was elected sophomore and senior class president; was named to the Hall of Fame as "Friendliest" by his classmates; and cheered for the Spartans his senior year, the only year men have ever participated on the cheerleading squad. He studied journalism at Memphis State University for three years and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. John's professional acting and comedic career began in 1979 when he won the talent competition at Number One Beale. This led to a career in Hollywood, where John performed at the legendary Comedy Store, appearing with such renowned comics as Robin Williams and Jonathon Winters. He became so well-known for his amazing imitation of Muhammad Ali, that Ali's manager brought John to Ali's home to perform for the boxing legend in person. He also appeared in several films, including the cult classic Suburbia. John returned to Memphis in 1984 and focused on his acting. He starred in productions at the Gaslight Theater and the Circuit Playhouse, and travelled the country performing on the dinner theater circuit. In 1988, John joined "The Wake Up Crew" with Tim Spencer and Bev Hart on Rock 103. After the station underwent a management change in 2006, John was paired with Ric Chetter. John's hilarious on-air antics and wicked sense of humor entertained us all. His thousands of area listeners and fans repeatedly voted John The Memphis Flyer's "Best of Memphis" radio personality each year for more than 20 years. In 2011, his peers awarded him the Mid-South Radio & Music Conference Broadcast Community Achievement Award. Of all his many professional accolades and accomplishments, however, John was most proud of the work he did on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, which serves juvenile cancer patients treated at St. Jude's. For 20 years, John devoted himself to the children and families served by the charity, raising millions of dollars through on-air radiothons and local fundraising events. As John underwent his own grueling treatment for cancer, he often stated that what he was going through was nothing compared to what the children of St. Jude's endured. John's unwavering faith, indomitable spirit, selfless generosity and unfailing sense of humor will serve as an inspiration to us all. His great capacity for love is unsurpassed. Throughout his illness, John displayed tremendous courage and complete devotion to his Lord. Last week, after being hospitalized for yet another relapse and learning that his bone marrow transplant had failed, John was asked by a friend if there was anything specific he would like to request for her prayer group to pray on his behalf. John responded, "No specific prayer concerns for me. Just pray that all my decisions and actions be directed by God." John will be joining his mother, father and brother, James. He leaves behind his precious sons, Tucker and Buck, whom he loved more than anything; his siblings, Joyce McCormack Vezina (Bob); Harold McCormack (Beverly); Tony McCormack (Nancy); Joe McCormack (Cheryl); Jackie McCormack Hill; Sharon McCormack Greenwood (Rick); Randolph McCormack; Timothy McCormack (Patty); sister-in-law Ann Gordon McCormack; 24 nieces and nephews; 31 great-nieces and nephews; and his best friends, Tommy Loeb, Rocky Kasaftes and Bill Daniel. John's family and friends invite the public to celebrate his life at a service on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Hope Presbyterian Church, with interment in the Columbarium of Church of the Holy Communion and reception in Cheney Parish Hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, to the "John McCormack Trust" at any First Tennessee Bank branch, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors (Published in The Commercial Appeal on March 13, 2011)
John Alexander McCormack, beloved father, brother, uncle and friend, died on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Methodist University Hospital after an 18-month battle with leukemia. Born in Memphis on June 18, 1955, the ninth child of Emma and Harold McCormack, John spent his entire life serving the people of the city he loved so much. John began his storied comedic career at a very early age. As a young boy, his older brothers loved to set him on a chair in the middle of the family room and encourage him to perform his spot-on impersonations of such legendary Memphians as Mayor Henry Loeb and Memphis football coach Billy "Spook" Murphy. His talent as a mimic was exceptional and he gleefully tormented family and friends with prank phone calls, which later evolved into the hilarious "Twilight Phone" segments on Rock 103. A graduate of White Station High School, John was a member of the Spartan baseball and football teams; was elected sophomore and senior class president; was named to the Hall of Fame as "Friendliest" by his classmates; and cheered for the Spartans his senior year, the only year men have ever participated on the cheerleading squad. He studied journalism at Memphis State University for three years and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. John's professional acting and comedic career began in 1979 when he won the talent competition at Number One Beale. This led to a career in Hollywood, where John performed at the legendary Comedy Store, appearing with such renowned comics as Robin Williams and Jonathon Winters. He became so well-known for his amazing imitation of Muhammad Ali, that Ali's manager brought John to Ali's home to perform for the boxing legend in person. He also appeared in several films, including the cult classic Suburbia. John returned to Memphis in 1984 and focused on his acting. He starred in productions at the Gaslight Theater and the Circuit Playhouse, and travelled the country performing on the dinner theater circuit. In 1988, John joined "The Wake Up Crew" with Tim Spencer and Bev Hart on Rock 103. After the station underwent a management change in 2006, John was paired with Ric Chetter. John's hilarious on-air antics and wicked sense of humor entertained us all. His thousands of area listeners and fans repeatedly voted John The Memphis Flyer's "Best of Memphis" radio personality each year for more than 20 years. In 2011, his peers awarded him the Mid-South Radio & Music Conference Broadcast Community Achievement Award. Of all his many professional accolades and accomplishments, however, John was most proud of the work he did on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, which serves juvenile cancer patients treated at St. Jude's. For 20 years, John devoted himself to the children and families served by the charity, raising millions of dollars through on-air radiothons and local fundraising events. As John underwent his own grueling treatment for cancer, he often stated that what he was going through was nothing compared to what the children of St. Jude's endured. John's unwavering faith, indomitable spirit, selfless generosity and unfailing sense of humor will serve as an inspiration to us all. His great capacity for love is unsurpassed. Throughout his illness, John displayed tremendous courage and complete devotion to his Lord. Last week, after being hospitalized for yet another relapse and learning that his bone marrow transplant had failed, John was asked by a friend if there was anything specific he would like to request for her prayer group to pray on his behalf. John responded, "No specific prayer concerns for me. Just pray that all my decisions and actions be directed by God." John will be joining his mother, father and brother, James. He leaves behind his precious sons, Tucker and Buck, whom he loved more than anything; his siblings, Joyce McCormack Vezina (Bob); Harold McCormack (Beverly); Tony McCormack (Nancy); Joe McCormack (Cheryl); Jackie McCormack Hill; Sharon McCormack Greenwood (Rick); Randolph McCormack; Timothy McCormack (Patty); sister-in-law Ann Gordon McCormack; 24 nieces and nephews; 31 great-nieces and nephews; and his best friends, Tommy Loeb, Rocky Kasaftes and Bill Daniel. John's family and friends invite the public to celebrate his life at a service on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Hope Presbyterian Church, with interment in the Columbarium of Church of the Holy Communion and reception in Cheney Parish Hall to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, to the "John McCormack Trust" at any First Tennessee Bank branch, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors (Published in The Commercial Appeal on March 13, 2011)
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