John Robert Jurisich

John Robert Jurisich, 87, of Garland, Texas passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023 at T Boone Pickens Palliative Care Hospital.  John was born on April 4, 1936 to John Joseph and Marietta Jurisich in Shreveport, Louisiana where he grew up until graduating from St. John’s Catholic High School.  He then joined the Navy as a radar operator for 4 years aboard the USS Rochester.  After his service John enrolled in Port Arthur College where he met his future wife, Mary Jo Thompson.  They married on December 31, 1960 settling in Dallas, Texas where John had begun his career with Texas Instruments.  During the early part of his career, he was transferred to California to work at Jet Propulsion Laboratories to develop the first space shuttle sent to Mars in 1964.  Afterwards he and his family returned to Dallas to continue his career at Texas Instruments.  Following their return to Dallas, John decided to complete his education while working full time and supporting his family. His degree in Business Management from Abilene Christian College was completed in 1975.

After a 33-year career at Texas Instruments, John retired from his position as a Cost Accounting Manager.  He quickly became involved in researching his genealogy, with an extensive study of his father’s home of Croatia.  Along with genealogy, John served as a volunteer in several organizations.  Collecting and delivering food to the hungry through Catholic Charities was an early endeavor.  John volunteered in numerous capacities at Axe Memorial United Methodist Church.  He initially volunteered his service within the Axe Food Pantry.  John and Mary Jo were active members of the Pathfinders class along with serving communion to the elderly and homebound members of the church.  Later his service to the church led into giving crosses to those he met while volunteering in hopes of spreading his Christian faith.  In 1991, John and Mary Jo traveled to Croatia to vacation and experience his father’s childhood home.  While in the former Yugoslavia, he passed out hundreds of crosses to churches.  He also became involved with the charity, Love in Action.  John would gather medical and dental supplies that were shipped in containers to Croatia and several South American countries to those in need. The Bob Stryler Award of Excellence was presented to John for his time and devotion to Love in Action.  While being kept busy for years with his volunteering, John always found time for enjoying life and family.  He loved to cook and prepared all holiday meals for his family for over 30 years.  He always enjoyed the family vacations to Lake Texoma with Mary Jo, his children, and grandchildren every summer for over 20 years.  Spending time boating, swimming, fishing, enjoying family time together along with preparing the annual Saturday night fish fry was a highlight of each of his years.

John is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Andrew Joseph Jurisich.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Jo Jurisich along with his daughter, Cheryl Goczoll and husband Sid; daughter Michelle Prince and husband Greg; son Robert Jurisich and wife Brenda; grandchildren Robert Goczoll, Natalie Goczoll, Merritt Prince, Joseph Jurisich; and great grandson Levi Goczoll.  His family will honor him with a private service at DFW National Cemetery in Grand Prairie, Texas.

His funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 26^th at 2 pm at Axe Memorial United Methodist Church at 1700 West Kingsley Road, Garland, Texas.  A live stream of the service is available via the church’s website: www.axeumc.org

Floral gifts may be sent to: Charles W. Smith and Sons Funeral Home 2925 Fifth St., Sachse, Texas 75048. They will be delivered to Axe Memorial United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 26^th for the funeral service.

Memorial gifts may be sent to: Axe Memorial United Methodist Church, Alzheimer’s Association, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.