John F. Bessire died on Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital surround by his family. He died of complications resulting from a broken hip, congestive heart failure and renal disease at the age of 92.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Church of Christ in Oregon City on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Private inurnment will be held at Sutter Cemetery in Sutter, California.
John Fredrick Bessire was born on July 3, 1918 in Reydon, Oklahoma to Ernest and Prairie Lee (Lusk) Bessire. At the age of 12, he began losing his sight due to Stickler’s Syndrome. He attended Oklahoma School for the Blind where he received his elementary and high school education. After graduating from high school, he went to New Mexico where he lived with family and worked various jobs. A few years later, he moved to California where he underwent eye surgery. The surgery was not successful and he lost his sight completely. John later furthered his education at Pepperdine University, studying to become a Minister and a Jr. College Teacher. Besides pursuing his career and attending college full time, he worked as a dishwasher for the college and worked in the Library. In 1946, he received his Bachelor’s Degree.
One year later, John moved to Tennessee and attended Freed Hardeman Bible College to further his Religious Studies and he met his future wife Ann.
On December 12, 1948, he was united in marriage to Ann Mattox in Louisville, Kentucky. Shortly after they married, they moved to California where John accepted a Ministerial position at the Church of Christ in Fairfield, California. They made their home in Fairfield and began their family. They later moved to Hanford, California where John continued serving in the ministry. Prior to moving back east, they spent a short time in Yuba City, California. John Ministered and taught school in Missouri and Arkansas, receiving his Master’s Degree from Harding University in Arkansas.
It was in 1957, that the family returned to California living near Santa Rosa where John accepted a dual position as the Church Minister and the Principal of the Christian Academy.
In the mid 1960’s, they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where John taught at the Orientation Center for the Adult Blind for 17 years until retiring. John and Ann then moved to Oregon, living in Portland area for a time prior to moving to Sandy. The last few years, they have resided in Happy Valley.
Surviving is his wife Ann of 61 years; his son, Phil Bessire of San Francisco Bay area; his daughters, Becky Bessire-Wold of Sandy and Teresa Christian of Eureka, Califonia; his sister, Cordelia Johnston of Lubbuck, Texas who is the last survivor of 11 children; Texas; 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Casey Eye Clinic or Oregon Eye Bank.