John Henry Casarez's Obituary
John Henry Casarez, 87, of Chesapeake, OH, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House.
He was born on September 26, 1937, in Huntington, WV. John joined the United States Marines, sparking a love for martial arts. Through 70 plus years of martial arts, John became a 10th degree Black Belt and GrandMaster in Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, a martial art he founded.
John holds Black Belts from 1st degree to 6th degree in other disciplines. He is a GrandMaster member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council and was inducted into World Martial Arts and USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. John has trained numerous instructors and always esteemed each of them. He trained the Huntington Police Department in self defense and was also recognized as a Hometown Hero in Huntington.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Leona Casarez, Chesapeake, OH; sisters, Hope (Ray) Kitchen, Greenville, SC, and Hazel Casarez, Chesapeake, OH; brother, Daniel Casarez, Chesapeake, OH, and son, John Lee Casarez, Huntington, WV.
John is survived by daughter, Tonya (Bill) Butcher of Evansville, IN; granddaughter, Kristen Casarez of Columbus, OH; grandsons, Rian (Jessica) Nichols and Billy C. Butcher of Evansville, IN; great grandsons, Micah and Isaiah Nichols; two cherished nieces, Dana Miller of Dothan, AL and Tana Casarez of Cambridge, OH and two dear friends, Andy and Teresa Walters of Chesapeake, OH.
A Memorial Gathering will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, October 18, 2024, at New Beginnings Worship Center, 3707 State Route 7, Chesapeake, OH. If at all possible, the family is asking that instructors and students wear their martial arts uniforms to the Celebration of Life as a way to honor John. He considered you a part of his family.
Schneider-Hall Funeral Home, Chesapeake, OH, is honored to assist the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at schneiderhallfuneralhome.com.
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