John Robert Sechrist

SECHRIST, John Robert age 75 of Centerville, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 30, 2006 after a year long battle with cancer. Born April 12, 1931 in Springfield, Ohio to George and Anne Sechrist. John is survived by his brother George “Bud” Sechrist, now of Hilton Head Island. John was the inspirational leader of a very large devoted family including a loving wife of 51 years, 6 children, 30 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. John attended Fairview High School before studying at Georgetown University and then the United States Military Academy, class of ’55. John and Georgene Anderson married in the West Point Chapel following graduation, and served five years in the Air Force in places including Denver, Maine and Okinawa. They returned to civilian life in 1961, working at Refrigeration Equipment Co. of Dayton. John founded Authorized Service Inc. in 1969, growing the company to a successful multi-state operation in Tampa, Boston, Orlando and Atlanta before retiring in 1996. A past president of the Dayton Sales Executive organization, John was also active in home school activities and teaching, and a member of Southbrook Christian Church. John also acted as Commodore of the Corey Lake (MI.) Yacht Club before later spending time in Naples, Florida. In addition to wife Georgene, John is survived by numerous in-laws and nieces and nephews as well as children, Eric and Kathy Sechrist of Wyoming, Anne and Chuck Fortener of Waynesville, OH, Patricia and Garrett Carlson of Colorado, Elise and George Orban of Portland OR, Kevin and Tina Sechrist of Atlanta, GA and Kristen and Jay Burkholder of New Carlisle, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a personal donation to the prisonfellowship.org or your favorite cancer organization. Special blessings go out to the Hospice of Dayton nurses and staff. A private service will be held for the immediate family. Condolences may be to sent to the family via the internet on www.routsong.com