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John Mangrum Obituary
Family-Placed Obituary
THE REVEREND JOHN FULLER MANGRUM The Reverend John Fuller Mangrum, age 87, went to be with the Lord on March 18, 2010. He was born May 22, 1922 in Grand Rapids, MI, of Melvin and Mary Gailey Mangrum. After wartime service on Okinawa, in WWII, Fr. Mangrum was Honorably discharged from the Army as a Captain and continued in the Air Force Reserves until 1955. He decided to pursue Holy Orders, graduating with a Masters of Divinity from Berkley Divinity School at Yale in 1949 and was ordained an Episcopal Priest January 6, 1950. He married Shirley Renton Stahelin (deceased 2001) May 26, 1956. Fr. Mangrum retired in 1990 from a long and interesting life of service, touching the lives and hearts of a multitude of people in all walks of life. After retirement he continued as Chaplain of Bishop Gray Inn and instructed in the Southeast Diocese School of Christian Studies. He served as Rector of St. James Episcopal, Albion, MI 1949-1951, Superintendent of the Detroit Boys Home and Rector, St. Peters Episcopal, Detroit, MI 1951-1955, Asst. Rector, Bethesda by the Sea, Palm Beach, FL, 1955-1956, Vicar, Holy Spirit Episcopal, Apopka, FL, 1956-1958, Vicar, St Edwards the Confessor, Mt. Dora, FL 1956-1961, Rector, Redeemer Episcopal, Avon Park, FL, 1961-1964, Rector, St Mary's Episcopal, Tampa, FL, 1964-1974, Dean, St Johns Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL, 1974-1977, Rector, St Martins, Clewiston, FL, 1977-1979, Rector, St David's, Wellington, FL, 1979-1990, and final assignment as Chaplain, Bishop Gray Inn, West Palm Beach, FL, 1990-2005. He continued his education with studies at Nashotah Theological Seminary and received four honorary Doctorates from University of Tampa, El Shaddai, Evangelical Methodist Reformed and Geneva Theological. He is a long time member and assisting priest at St Paul's, Delray Beach, FL. Beloved in the Community as well as the Church, Fr Mangrum received recognition as co-founder of the Village of Wellington, worked extensively with Boys and Girls Clubs, Founding Board member of Growing Together, Polo Priest for the Wellington Polo Club, Chaplain for spring training with the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves Baseball Clubs and played in the Symphony Orchestras of Tampa and Jacksonville. He was active in the Elks, VFW, Rotary, Kiwanis and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His sister, Marjorie Brisebois of Michigan; surrogate son, Guy Diffenbaugh of Jacksonville and a multitude of loving friends survive Fr. Mangrum. A Requiem Mass for Fr. John will be celebrated at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach at 1030 AM Tuesday, March 23, Rt. Rev. Calvin Schofield, Jr., presiding, with a reception to follow the Mass at the church. Visitation for friends of Father Mangrum will be this evening from 5-9 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. A Priest's Vigil will be held Monday evening after 9 PM also at St Paul's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 188 S. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444. Priest to Royalty and stars as well as the down and out, Fr. Mangrum was welcomed home to his eternal reward with "well done thy good and faithful servant". Tillman Funeral Home West Palm Beach Family owned & operated www.tillmanfuneralhome.com To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Mangrum
November 17, 2010
Father Mangrum was like a father to me at a very difficult time in my life, my mid-teens. He listened to me, took an interest in what I was thinking and feeling and gave me good books to read, including The Immense Journey by Loren Eisely. My son's middle name was taken from that author. For me, Father Mangrum embodied the spirit of Christ in this world. I have always held him in my heart and always will. I am now 63. Bob Muir
Jackson McQuigg
March 26, 2010
My father, John McQuigg, and I were both very saddened to learn of Father Mangrum's passing.
Father Mangrum married my parents in 1969 at St. Mary's in Tampa and christened me in the very same church (where we were longtime members of the congregation) in 1971.
In the mid-1980s, we visited him and attended some of his services at his parish in West Palm Beach.
The McQuigg Family has always held John Mangrum in very high regard and we are so fortunate that he has been a part of each of our lives.
The Rev Canon Kevin Donlon
March 24, 2010
It was with great sadness that many in Tampa received the news of Fr. Mangrum's passing into glory. As one of my predecessors at St. Mary's, it was an honor and a privilege to be able to invite him back to preach at the anniversary homecoming in 2000. The love and affection given to him when he returned was only matched by what he gave to the Lord in his life. He was a gift of God to His Church.
Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine,
et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace. Amen.
Rabbi Alan Sherman
March 23, 2010
Fr. Mangrum was my friend, colleague and mentor during my early days in Palm Beach County. He was a true humanitarian and devoted to social justice. We stood together in representing the voice of the underdog. May the example of his life insprire us all.
Rabbi Alan Sherman,
Jewish Federation Of Palm Beach County
Steve & Linda Zurko
March 22, 2010
Fr. Mangrum welcomed us into the family of St. David's in 1982, confirmed our two sons, Grant and Scott, and regaled us with his humor and memorable sermons. He held our hands and walked with us in our times of grief and always gave us wise and tender advice. Our memories of him are full of happy times, real-life stories woven into his sermons, and a love of life and service. We will truly miss him! He was one of a kind.
Irene Oknewski
March 22, 2010
I have so very many wonderful memories of Father John and Shirley dating back to Clewiston, Belle Glade, Pahokee and Wellington. He performed my son's wedding and baptized my grandson. Will miss him a lot.
March 22, 2010
Father John and Shirley became our close friends our first year with the Cincinnati Reds. He became our spiritual inspiration all through those baseball years and beyond. What a fan of baseball!More importantly, what a man of God!!! We enjoyed many, many spring training times together. John came to Atlanta to marry our son. We loved him and Shirley very much. We so wish to be there at his service. John and Shirley are now together again forever. We can't wait to hook up with them in heaven and resume our great times.......forever!!! We love you and will miss you, Father John.
Darrel and Cindy Chaney
Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia
Keean Downing
March 22, 2010
I've known "Uncle" John my ENTIRE life. He baptised me and his wife,"Aunt" Shirley was my godmother. My grandmother and Shirley's mother were sisters and I grew up with John in my life. He will be sorely missed by the many, many people who knew him throughout the years.Father John was absoulutly one of the very nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to know. He will be missed.
Susan Mills
March 22, 2010
Good night Friar Tucker,
It was a joy to know you. You taught me very important lessons.
Thank you,
March 21, 2010
We need more people like John Mangrum in this world. He lived his faith, succumbing not to the pressures of society or any who did not understand the true meaning of Christ's message. He truly walked in peace. We will be the less for his loss. He left an indelible mark on me when I was one of his flock, years ago, at St. John's Cathedral. M. Taylor
John Musgrove
March 21, 2010
Father Mangrum was an enormous force for love, strength, humor and kindness in this world. His tender attention, his wry humor and his bear hugs to my family and me at the time of our father's death were a source of amazing comfort to us all. What a man. Peace and love always, Father Mangrum.
March 21, 2010
Father Mangrum was the light and strength in my life in my times of darkness and need. His unconditional love and words of wisdom continue to carry me. I am so very grateful to have been blessed to have him in my life. Shelly Sollohub (Austin TX)
Doug Musgrove
March 21, 2010
a passionate, life-loving and kind man, father mangrum was the man who informed our family that my father had been killed in action in viet nam in 1965. i'll never forget his strength. doug musgrove, portland oregon.
Blake Vance
March 21, 2010
I will miss his wonderfullu earthy sermons, often humerous but always meaningful.
Blake Vance
March 21, 2010
Father Mangrum wlecomed us to St. Paul's in Delray. Our reception was so honest and heart warming and we always looked forward to his wonderful sermons! We will never forget his good friday mediation. Watch out baseball fans in Heaven! B&B Vance
Virginia Weddington
March 21, 2010
Father Mangrum is well remembered and loved both by my family and myself. We were members of St.Mary's duing his tenure there. He is a loss to the Episcopal Church. My prayers are with his family. Virginia Weddington
Jane (Alexander) Beloin
March 21, 2010
I was saddened to read of his death. He was a wonderful priest, teacher, and friend. The world will be at a loss now, but I know
Heaven will rejoice in welcoming his arrival!
William Stokes
March 21, 2010
Please note that the obituary contains an error. There will be visitation open the public from 5 - 9 at St. Paul's in Delray Beach and that the clergy vigil will take place after that through the night.
The Rev. Canon William Stokes, Rector, St. Paul's, Delray Beach
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