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John Jancar Obituary

John A. Jancar
January 1924 - July 2012

"The Great Generation" is the proud line Tom Brokaw called the men and women of World War II. During the second World War my husband, John Jancar, was attached to the 13th Armored Division, named the Black Cat. He served with General Patton as a soldier making maps for the routes to be traveled on the many campaigns. After receiving his BA at UCSB, John became an art instructor at Mira Costa High, in Manhattan Beach. He truly loved teaching young people the value of art in their lives. John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Milli Jancar; his sister, Lida Costahaude; nephews, Mark and John Costahaude, Tom Jancar; and niece, Nancy Jancar. We will miss him dearly. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

Published by Daily Breeze on Aug. 3, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Jancar

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David W. Horowitz

Friend

August 31, 2022

David W. Horowitz

Friend

August 31, 2022

The only teacher I was excited about going into their classroom. In fact I used to duck some of my other classes and sneak into Mr Jancar's art class. He has left a lasting impression on me. I truly felt his love for teaching and his interest in his students. I remember when I met Tiny Tim and struck up a unique friendship with him...Mr J wanted an autographed photo, so I brought him one and he was over the moon. He was more than a teacher, he was a friend. I think, wait...I know he let his mark on many of us.

Sioux Perry

Student

January 29, 2021

Mr. Jancar was an extrofiary teacher . He not only taught art, he taught that thinking and questioning are life skills. He has a way of challenging you to approach the work and the world from youre own perspective and then be prepared to defend those viewpoints. I have thought of him often over the years ... my life as an artist and eventually an educator began on his classroom . I am fortunate to have known him . A wonderful, funny and talented man.

Nancy Russell

Student

October 24, 2018

Student

May 12, 2017

John Jancar
He was a great man!!!
A kind and giving person with endless energy.
May he rest in peace, but never be forgotten.
I am very proud that he was my “Uncle John.”
I miss his Unmistakable laugh…
All my blessings go out to “Aunt Milli.”
Love,
John Costahaude

John Costahaude

January 12, 2015

Mr. Jancar was my art teacher from 1964 to 1968. I always looked forward to his class every day. He was a wonderful instructor, very talented.

Karen (Lindsey) Moss

January 10, 2015

Debie

August 2, 2013

I had Mr. Jancar from 53 to 57 and he was the only teacher I still think of at times. At one time he did the news paper article Miss Statistic, drawing the the woman by that name. That was before teaching at Mira Costa. We were so lucky to have someone like him for an influence in our lives.I'll miss him.

Leonard Headley

August 1, 2013

I was so lucky to have Mr. Jancar from 1953 to 1957. I even managed to get two classes a day in my senior year. What a great teacher and talent he was. He just seemed to make the world a better place. My son is very artistic and I wish he could have met him. He will be missed. Len Headley (class of 57)

August 1, 2013

I had Mr Jancar for Art in my Junior Year at MCHS, One of best memories from that School

S.L Welton-Roach

July 31, 2013

Thanks to Mr. Jancar I spent 18 years as a very successful artist. Thousands of my paintings are all over the world. I painted Letter art. Each letter had an animal in it. I wish I knew that I could have thanked him in person. He was my all time favoret teacher.

July 30, 2013

For the passed 35 years, every January 8th I would make a phone call -from wherever I was or stop whatever I was doing- to wish my favorite art teacher, Mr. John Anton Jancar a Happy Birthday.
He always seemed happy to hear from me, we'd catch up for a few minutes, I'd tell him how much he has always meant to me and then i'd close by saying "talk to you next year-he'd say 'I look forward to it'.
Somehow I knew that when I made that phone call today, he wouldn't be there to answer.
I learned from Milli that my beloved art teacher had passed away. I am going to miss those once a year phone conversations that I looked so forward to having every Jan 8 but will never stop remembering what a special person he was.
God Bless Milli and the rest of the family. My heart goes out to all of you.

Debie Rogers/Walker

January 8, 2013

Happy Birthday to You!

Debie Rogers-Walker

January 8, 2013

Under Mr. Jancar's guidance at Mira Costa, we were able to accomplish extraordinary things and over the years, the numerous awards both regional and national were a testament to his genius as well as to the raw talent of so many of his students. But perhaps even more importantly, John Jancar gave us a place to breath. A space where we could relax and create something joyful and of value and beauty in an atmosphere where as young people coming of age we were able to express ourselves and quite simply, make art.

David Horowitz

August 19, 2012

Mr Jancar was one of my favorite art teachers. He was instrumental in my love of art and which in turn directed me to a career in home design.I always repeat a quote from him, in a commerical art class that i took- "Simplicity is a key to a good design" Thanks You Mr. Jancar
MCHS class of 77

Gary Lane

August 14, 2012

I had Mr Jancar for 3 years from 1954 -1957, and he was the reason I pursued art as a major in college and he was instrumental in my receiving the Bank of America award for art and an Art Center and a 4 yr college scholarship. He let us explore all kinds of media!
He was the best! I am still drawing and taking art classes.

Antonia Lombard

August 13, 2012

Mr Jancar was my art teacher at MCHS in '69 and '70. . .he was the most influential instructor of my high school years. He always treated us like adults, even though most of us were far from that. What he taught us is, to this day, part of the way I look at all art! I like to think that his influence was in every project I worked on as a graphic artist many years ago. I remember loving the atmosphere in his class. He made us proud of our work. He was a remarkable human being. . .I know that for sure now.

Margie Farias

August 6, 2012

John Jancar was one of my favorite art teachers. He told me to never stop exploring the art world, & mostly because of his support and his opinion of me as an artist, I am still painting and drawing and exploring other areas of techniques in art. He was a great fan of my artwork, and I have been a great fan of him as a teacher. I haven't ever forgotten him. There is a bit of John Jancar in every painting I make. Thank you, Mr. Jancar.

Carol Linn

August 5, 2012

HEATHER NORTON FOSTER

August 5, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Jean Roylance Norton

August 5, 2012

I had the privilege to have Mr Jancar as a Commercial Art instructor (In 1978-1979) at Mira Costa. Thoughts and Condolences are sent to the Jancar family.

Marianne Switter

August 5, 2012

John Jancar, friend, teacher and mentor

A few years ago when I was still living in the South Bay, I had a unique and unexpected opportunity to tell Mr. Jancar, just how deeply he had affected, inspired and influenced all of us and how beloved he had been and still was, to so many of his former students. He seemed somewhat startled and surprised to hear this. In his personal life, he was private, unassuming and I think rather shy and we always respected that about him. I believe seeing Mr. Jancar again on that occasion after so many years was an important moment for both of us.

David William Horowitz, MCHS class of 1970

August 5, 2012

I am sorry to hear of John's passing. I spent several years with him at Mira Costa and appreciated his talents and contributions. He made a difference there. I hope you find comfort in your memories of the time you shared with him.

Gary Hartzell

August 4, 2012

I took Mr. Jancar's art class at Mira Costa in 1962, after a friend said the red Porsche 356 Coupe in the parking lot belonged to him (I was car crazy back then and thought the owner must be a cool guy--he was). That year MC started construction of its auditorium, and Mr. Jancar was furious that it was facing the wrong way, the rear being visible to traffic on Artesia, rather than the front. Thanks to him, the class organizd a protest (which fell on deaf ears). It was my first protest, and I never forgot its excitement or my respect for a principled and dedicated man. God speed Mr. Jancar

anthony ardolino

August 3, 2012

I took a deep sigh this morning when I read the passing of John Jancar. He was a pivotal and profound piece of my life's journey. He was an incredible teacher. He taught me the love of making art. He touched many lives. Because of him I am an artist, a teacher and professor of art. May his memory be eternal.

angelica sotiriou-rausch

August 3, 2012

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