John Walter von Spreckelsen, (July 9, 1935 - August 1, 2008), passed away peacefully.
He was surrounded by his extended family of over 25 years. Armando Jimenez, his partner, friend, and soul mate, Raymond & Catalina Jimenez, Lory Jimenez, Sandra & Esteban Jimenez, Rey Zacarias & Victor Izquierdo. Armando, Catalina & Lory were at his bedside when Johnny passed away.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents Walter von Spreckelsen and Navolin Niemen, and his sister Georgiana von Spreckelsen.
He is survived by his sister Gretchen B. Bryant, of Kokomo, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Johnny's love and passion for music and life were well known by all who knew him. He attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated in June of 1954 while attending there he excelled in music. He was referred to as a musical genius at age 18 by the Arsenal Technical High School. Where he was already an accomplished pianist, organist, and cellist, singer and composer extraordinary. Johnny excelled in anything in the line of music. He delighted many senior roll rooms with his beautiful deep-moving composition of "Minor in Swing" which he composed. He was vice president of the Concert Orchestra, active in the Madrigal Singers in which he sang first tenor. He was an S.A.O. representative in his junior year. While at Arsenal High School, Johnny received several "Top Honors", "Departmental Honors". Although music was Johnny's first love, he tirelessly devoted his time to religious work. At 18, Johnny, was director of the adult choir, and assistant director of the youth choir at Mars Hill Christian Church. He was also chaplain of the "Activators", a church young peoples group, and vice president of his West Side Christian Endeavor. Johnny, who at 18 played for recitals, church groups, clubs and other venues, continued his education at Milligan College, in Southern Tennessee. Johnny, went on to become a professional musician, choir director, music composer and music teacher. Over the years Johnny, taught hundreds of children and adults alike. His commitment to his students was evident in the many letters of gratitude he received through his students. Many of which went on the become accomplished musicians themselves. He performed over the Eastern half of the United States.
Johnny, settled in San Francisco, California in 1989. He had a deep love for the city and its diverse culture and the arts. He remained there until falling ill last year. He was brought to Avondale, Arizona by his extended family in order to care for him. He will be loved and remembered for his love of music, love for nature and his fellow human beings. His sense of humor and his gentle soul were a source of admiration and strength.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 22, 2008.
He was surrounded by his extended family of over 25 years. Armando Jimenez, his partner, friend, and soul mate, Raymond & Catalina Jimenez, Lory Jimenez, Sandra & Esteban Jimenez, Rey Zacarias & Victor Izquierdo. Armando, Catalina & Lory were at his bedside when Johnny passed away.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents Walter von Spreckelsen and Navolin Niemen, and his sister Georgiana von Spreckelsen.
He is survived by his sister Gretchen B. Bryant, of Kokomo, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Johnny's love and passion for music and life were well known by all who knew him. He attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated in June of 1954 while attending there he excelled in music. He was referred to as a musical genius at age 18 by the Arsenal Technical High School. Where he was already an accomplished pianist, organist, and cellist, singer and composer extraordinary. Johnny excelled in anything in the line of music. He delighted many senior roll rooms with his beautiful deep-moving composition of "Minor in Swing" which he composed. He was vice president of the Concert Orchestra, active in the Madrigal Singers in which he sang first tenor. He was an S.A.O. representative in his junior year. While at Arsenal High School, Johnny received several "Top Honors", "Departmental Honors". Although music was Johnny's first love, he tirelessly devoted his time to religious work. At 18, Johnny, was director of the adult choir, and assistant director of the youth choir at Mars Hill Christian Church. He was also chaplain of the "Activators", a church young peoples group, and vice president of his West Side Christian Endeavor. Johnny, who at 18 played for recitals, church groups, clubs and other venues, continued his education at Milligan College, in Southern Tennessee. Johnny, went on to become a professional musician, choir director, music composer and music teacher. Over the years Johnny, taught hundreds of children and adults alike. His commitment to his students was evident in the many letters of gratitude he received through his students. Many of which went on the become accomplished musicians themselves. He performed over the Eastern half of the United States.
Johnny, settled in San Francisco, California in 1989. He had a deep love for the city and its diverse culture and the arts. He remained there until falling ill last year. He was brought to Avondale, Arizona by his extended family in order to care for him. He will be loved and remembered for his love of music, love for nature and his fellow human beings. His sense of humor and his gentle soul were a source of admiration and strength.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 22, 2008.
John Walter von Spreckelsen, (July 9, 1935 - August 1, 2008), passed away peacefully.
He was surrounded by his extended family of over 25 years. Armando Jimenez, his partner, friend, and soul mate, Raymond & Catalina Jimenez, Lory Jimenez, Sandra & Esteban Jimenez, Rey Zacarias & Victor Izquierdo. Armando, Catalina & Lory were at his bedside when Johnny passed away.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents Walter von Spreckelsen and Navolin Niemen, and his sister Georgiana von Spreckelsen.
He is survived by his sister Gretchen B. Bryant, of Kokomo, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Johnny's love and passion for music and life were well known by all who knew him. He attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated in June of 1954 while attending there he excelled in music. He was referred to as a musical genius at age 18 by the Arsenal Technical High School. Where he was already an accomplished pianist, organist, and cellist, singer and composer extraordinary. Johnny excelled in anything in the line of music. He delighted many senior roll rooms with his beautiful deep-moving composition of "Minor in Swing" which he composed. He was vice president of the Concert Orchestra, active in the Madrigal Singers in which he sang first tenor. He was an S.A.O. representative in his junior year. While at Arsenal High School, Johnny received several "Top Honors", "Departmental Honors". Although music was Johnny's first love, he tirelessly devoted his time to religious work. At 18, Johnny, was director of the adult choir, and assistant director of the youth choir at Mars Hill Christian Church. He was also chaplain of the "Activators", a church young peoples group, and vice president of his West Side Christian Endeavor. Johnny, who at 18 played for recitals, church groups, clubs and other venues, continued his education at Milligan College, in Southern Tennessee. Johnny, went on to become a professional musician, choir director, music composer and music teacher. Over the years Johnny, taught hundreds of children and adults alike. His commitment to his students was evident in the many letters of gratitude he received through his students. Many of which went on the become accomplished musicians themselves. He performed over the Eastern half of the United States.
Johnny, settled in San Francisco, California in 1989. He had a deep love for the city and its diverse culture and the arts. He remained there until falling ill last year. He was brought to Avondale, Arizona by his extended family in order to care for him. He will be loved and remembered for his love of music, love for nature and his fellow human beings. His sense of humor and his gentle soul were a source of admiration and strength.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 22, 2008.
He was surrounded by his extended family of over 25 years. Armando Jimenez, his partner, friend, and soul mate, Raymond & Catalina Jimenez, Lory Jimenez, Sandra & Esteban Jimenez, Rey Zacarias & Victor Izquierdo. Armando, Catalina & Lory were at his bedside when Johnny passed away.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents Walter von Spreckelsen and Navolin Niemen, and his sister Georgiana von Spreckelsen.
He is survived by his sister Gretchen B. Bryant, of Kokomo, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Johnny's love and passion for music and life were well known by all who knew him. He attended Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated in June of 1954 while attending there he excelled in music. He was referred to as a musical genius at age 18 by the Arsenal Technical High School. Where he was already an accomplished pianist, organist, and cellist, singer and composer extraordinary. Johnny excelled in anything in the line of music. He delighted many senior roll rooms with his beautiful deep-moving composition of "Minor in Swing" which he composed. He was vice president of the Concert Orchestra, active in the Madrigal Singers in which he sang first tenor. He was an S.A.O. representative in his junior year. While at Arsenal High School, Johnny received several "Top Honors", "Departmental Honors". Although music was Johnny's first love, he tirelessly devoted his time to religious work. At 18, Johnny, was director of the adult choir, and assistant director of the youth choir at Mars Hill Christian Church. He was also chaplain of the "Activators", a church young peoples group, and vice president of his West Side Christian Endeavor. Johnny, who at 18 played for recitals, church groups, clubs and other venues, continued his education at Milligan College, in Southern Tennessee. Johnny, went on to become a professional musician, choir director, music composer and music teacher. Over the years Johnny, taught hundreds of children and adults alike. His commitment to his students was evident in the many letters of gratitude he received through his students. Many of which went on the become accomplished musicians themselves. He performed over the Eastern half of the United States.
Johnny, settled in San Francisco, California in 1989. He had a deep love for the city and its diverse culture and the arts. He remained there until falling ill last year. He was brought to Avondale, Arizona by his extended family in order to care for him. He will be loved and remembered for his love of music, love for nature and his fellow human beings. His sense of humor and his gentle soul were a source of admiration and strength.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 22, 2008.
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