John C. Anz

SAN ANGELO - John C. Anz was born to John Edward Anz and Minnie Schrader Anz on May 15, 1924, in Spur, Dickens County, Texas. He was the first of their five children. The Anz family moved to Sweetwater, Texas, in 1936. After graduation from Newman High School in Sweetwater, John was inducted into the Navy in 1944. He completed submarine school in New London, Connecticut, in 1945. In 1946, he served on the submarine boat SS406 the USS Sea Poacher receiving the rank of torpedo man's mate third class. He served in active duty during World War II from June 29, 1944 to Oct. 30, 1946. On Jan. 9, 1948, he married the love of his life, the former Marieta Joy Williams. For the next several years he worked as Parts Manager for Forester Chevrolet Company in Sweetwater. In 1968, he and Marieta purchased Auto Parts Co., Inc., 107 Pecan St., Sweetwater. John was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Sweetwater, where he served on the administrative board, and as greeter, usher and various other services. He was also a member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. John had a passion for creating wooden crosses to give to friends and family. John and Marieta moved to San Angelo in 2008, where they became members of First United Methodist Church. John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Anz and Jack Anz; and his sister, Nettie Imhoff. He is survived by his loving family, wife Marieta Anz, of San Angelo; children Cynthia J. Escue and her husband, Richard, of Port Orange, Florida, and Pam Ward and her husband, Joe, of San Angelo; his grandchildren, Jonathan Escue, David Escue, Michael Ward and Erica Hill and her husband, Mark; his great-grandchildren, Evan Hill and Dylan Hill; his sister, Dorothy Anz Manning, of Lewisville, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a special caregiver, Rosie Perales. The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in San Angelo with the Rev. Sam Hunnicutt officiating. The family would like to thank Hospice of San Angelo, especially Nancy York, Jennifer Price and Rotary House of Hope. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist or Hospice of San Angelo. Family and friends may sign an online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.