Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
John Yanta Obituary
John Walter Yanta was born on a farm in Runge, TX on Oct. 2, 1931, the fifth of eight children of John Andrew Yanta and Mary Magdalen Pollok who were natives of Panna Maria, the oldest Polish parish in the United States.
He attended public school in Runge and then moved to San Antonio to attend Central Catholic High School before entering St. John's Seminary. After three years, he returned home to assist his ailing father in running the farm, but was able to return to St. John's, and then went on to Assumption Seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1956.
Father Yanta's first assignment was as Assistant Pastor of St. Ann's Catholic Church in San Antonio where he was instrumental in forming a youth ministry and a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). He was so successful, he was made director of the archdiocesan CYO program for 6 years.
He became Pastor at Sacred Heart and then St. James parishes in San Antonio and was founder of the San Antonio Neighborhood Youth Organization, an exemplary federally funded program for developing leadership in targeted distressed communities. He was the Executive Director for 6 years and then turned the program over to the leaders he had developed. He also headed up the Archdiocesan Office for the Laity where he directed the Better World Spiritual Renewal program throughout the Archdiocese for 3 years. He was Editor of Today's Catholic Newspaper and was co-founder and first executive director of Catholic Television of San Antonio (CTSA).
Bishop Yanta was consecrated an Auxiliary Bishop of the San Antonio Archdiocese on the feast of the Holy Family, December 30, 1994 by Archbishop Patrick Flores, with Bishop Nossol of Opole, Poland and Bishop Grahmann of Dallas as co-consecrators, and Cardinal Maida of Detroit as the homilist at the ceremony in Panna Maria, Texas. He was installed as the Bishop of Amarillo, Texas on March 17, 1997 where he served for 11 years and was noted for his strong work ethic in rebuilding the Diocese and his effective pro-life advocacy. He was also active in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops where he served on committees dealing with migration and refugee services, farm workers and marriage and family life.
Completing his service, Bishop Yanta became Bishop Emeritus in 2008 and returned to San Antonio where he has been active in his efforts to envision, recruit a leadership team and successfully lead the design, development and construction of the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria. He has also been active in leading study groups, promoting the rosary and being a mentor to other leaders in the community.
John W. Yanta was the first Texan of Polish descent to become a Bishop. He has always had an interest in his Polish ethnicity and heritage and was a charter member of a group of priests founding the Polish American Priests Association (PAPA) of Texas in 1970. He founded the Polish American Congress of Texas in 1971, serving as President for five terms. He attended the Kosciuszko Foundation Summer Session at Jagellonian University, Krakow, Poland, 1971, and the University of Kansas Summer Program at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland, 1972.
Bishop Yanta was the originator and leader of the first-ever tour of Silesian Polish Texans back to the Opole areas of Upper Silesia of Poland in 1973. He coordinated Pope John Paul II's visit with Panna Maria parishioners and Texas Polonia on September 13, 1987, and was general chairman of the first Polish American Priests Association Convention, April 16-19, 1990 in San Antonio. He was elected first National President of PAPA on April 11, 1991 in Chicago, Illinois and was general chairman of the Father Leopold Moczygemba Centennial in 1991. He also founded the Polish American Council of Texas in 2011.
On June 13, 2019, Bishop Yanta was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit by Polish President Andrzej Duda for his life-long work on behalf of American Polonia.
At the Grand Opening of the Polish Heritage Center, Bishop Yanta stated:
"Our immigrant ancestors gave us a distinctive first class beginning and I, as one of the descendants, realize the debt I owe to them. We must pass on their history of faith, of taming their new land and overcoming hardships for future generations.
I thank God for being with us, step by step, along the way. For me, it's my call to stewardship. I knew God wanted me to do something: to memorialize our Polish ancestors and preserve the past for the future generations."
Bishop Yanta is survived by brothers Wilfred Yanta of Runge and Joseph James Yanta of San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Andrew Yanta and Mary Magdalen Pollok, sister Valeria, and brothers Edwin, Ernest, Fabian and Vernon.
Funeral Services for
Bishop Yanta
are as follows:
Tuesday, August 16:
Visitation at 1:00pm
Rosary at 2:30pm
St James the Apostle
Catholic Church
907 W. Theo Ave.
San Antonio, TX
Tuesday, August 16:
Visitation at 5:00pm
Rosary at 7:00pm
St. Paul's
Catholic Church
350 Sutton Dr.
San Antonio, TX
Wednesday, August 17:
Funeral Mass 10:00am
San Fernando Cathedral
115 Main Plaza
San Antonio, TX
Archbishop
Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS,
the main celebrant.
Reception to follow.
Wednesday, August 17:
Visitation at 5:00pm
Rosary at 7:00pm
Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church
13879 N. FM 81
Panna Maria, TX
Thursday, August 18:
Funeral Mass 9:00am
Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church
13879 N. FM 81
Panna Maria, TX
Bishop Michael Boulette,
the main celebrant.
Reception to follow.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, Bishop Yanta invites your support of the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria and the Allied Women's Center.
Arrangements by:
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Yanta
Sponsored by Angelus Funeral Home - San Antonio.
Dolores Barrera
July 28, 2025
I met FatherYanta when I was at St. Ann's School, RIP
Philip Loftus
January 4, 2023
Bishop Emeritus Yanta was a great friend and supporter of the National Religious Vocation Conference and we were sorry to learn of his death. May his dedication and service to the Church continue to inspire religious men and women who are still being called to their vocation. Blessings and Peace.
Msgr. Charles M. Mangan
December 30, 2022
+J.M.J.+
I was saddened to learn of the passing away of +Bishop Yanta. May his Soul rest in peace. May the Most Holy Family of Nazareth comfort all who mourn his departure from this life.
Linda Leach Styles
August 20, 2022
My family were members of St. Pius X Catholic Church for many years (Msgr. Roy Rihn was pastor) & I attended the 7th & 8th grade at the new school in 1959. I met Father Yanta during that time & thought he was a lovely man. Since his tenure at St. Pius X was not mentioned in his tribute, perhaps he was not assigned there but he obviously helped out. Nevertheless, I appreciate his service to us. RIP, Bishop Yanta.
Michael Garcia
August 19, 2022
We love you and will always pray for you. Thank you for marrying our children.
August 16, 2022
RIP Farther Yanta. Thanks for the memories. From The Tupa Family.
Angeles Ramos, 3510 Delford Circle. Dallas, Tx.75528
August 16, 2022
I know that God has accepted you with open arms because you have paved your way into his heavenly kingdom. Your teachings at Sanyo created an army of Soldiers for God to care for the least of his people.You lead the way teaching us how to help the impoverished help them self's and also taught how to succeed in corporate world. Your friend, Angeles
Rudy Gomez, Class of 1964
August 16, 2022
My sincere condolences to the entire Yanta family. We lost a special person. I remember Father (Bishop Emeritus) Yanta so well when I first met him as a student at St. Ann's. He was young and hip and connected with the youth. He would come by our class from time to time to provide us with messages good and bad and I recall was with our parish during the assassination of our first Roman Catholic President, Robert F. Kennedy. I remember the entire student body hearing the news and all congregating in the Church for mass and prayer. Then, when our 8th grade class graduated in 1964, we had a fun day at the Dixie Dude Ranch and I had the fortune of hitching a ride in his car from the Dixie Dude Ranch back to St. Ann's. His drive from the hill country back to St. Ann's was fun and memorable. I am so proud and fortunate to have had Fr. Yanta at St. Ann's along with Fr's. O'Callaghan and Maneth and further proud and blessed that my elder parents still belong to this parish and support St. Ann's all these years. RIP Bishop Emeritus Yanta!
Maria Quiroga
August 15, 2022
RIP Father Yanya. I will always remember you, he was so kind, and he always seemed to remember me. I met him as a kid at St. James, when he made a visit to my friends house to talk with her mother. The next few years, he always said hello, and even surprised my mom and me with a home visit, stating he returned from a trip, and had a little pendant of the Holy Spirit he picked up, and gave to me. I wore it for years, I believe I still have it somewhere. But he was always so warm and welcoming. May you forever live on in everyone's heart that you touched so dearly. Thank you for making spirituality a huge part of my life.
Christine F. Rodriguez
August 14, 2022
I have always been greatful to
Fr.Yanta he was there in 1959 when my husband and I were going to get married and he helped him with his Communion and Confirmation I guess his help worked because we are still together after 62 years. He will always be in my prays for helping the love of my life.
John J Kuntz III
August 14, 2022
It is hard to say, "Good By" Bishop John. You were an inspiration to so many people and everyone will miss you. May your soul rest in peace.
Janice Hobbs
August 14, 2022
I feel so honored to have known Bishop Yanta since I was 8 years old when he was the priest at St. Ann's church along with Fr. Maneth and Fr. O'Callaghan. Bishop Yanta became a true friend of our family and officiated at many of our significant family celebrations. Such a great and generous man he was and a true man of Christ. He Will be deeply missed. Rest with the angels dear Bishop and watch over all of us. Rest in peace dear Bishop. Deacon Richard and Janice Hobbs
Ann Beck
August 11, 2022
I remember Bishop Yanta from St. Ann's when I was starting school there. He was fantastic. I remember how young he looked - I hadn't realized there were young priests - I guess I thought they were born older? Anyway, he was a great Assistant Pastor and always had a smile and a good word for us kids. Wonderful person! God bless!
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in John Yanta's name
Memorial Events
for John Yanta
Funeral services provided by:
Angelus Funeral Home - San Antonio1119 N Saint Marys, San Antonio, TX 78215
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Yanta's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
