John Edward Drazkowski

John Edward Drazkowski, 69, Phoenix Arizona passed away on January 17, 2026. Born to John O and Carol A Drazkowski (deceased). He is survived by his wife of 50 years Catherine, brother Joseph Drazkowski (Melanie), and sisters; Mary Miraglia (Bill), Jane Rinehart (Ricky), Carol McCaig (Tim) and Laura Scalan (Brian) and stepmother Josefine Drazkowski.
He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the family moved in 1966 to Phoenix where he attended Greenway middle school and Paradise Valley high school.
His love of motorcycles developed early in Phoenix, where he and his brother Joe spent many afternoons riding dirt bikes in the desert. As an adult John enjoyed riding his bike throughout Arizona, California and cross country.
He attended the first game of the Phoenix Suns basketball team. He remained a lifelong fan and rarely missed a game. When he was not living in Phoenix would travel hours to see the Suns play.
He loved dogs. Particularly his Australian shepherds that were his loyal companions throughout his life and they were a great comfort when his health declined. His current dogs, Danny and Zeke were by his side when he passed.
He met his soulmate and the love of his life, Catherine, at the University of Arizona. She was always at his side. She championed him throughout his lifetime of personal and professional achievements during all the ups and downs, including the numerous health challenges. She never left his side.
In 1979, He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arizona. After graduating, he went to work for Union Carbide Corp. Seadrift, Texas and later their Houston plant.
In 1981, he went to work for The Rohm & Haas Co. Houston, Texas as an engineer and progressed to become an Engineering Program Manager and a Marketing Manager.
In 1990, he earned a business management certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton school of business.
As a Tulane Law student he wrote the comments to EPA/LADEQ for the Convent LA citizen’s group that led to denial of permits for a planned vinyl chloride/PVC plant. The company was forced to upgrade the design and move the plant. The story was the basis for The Lifetime Channel Movie “Taking Back our Town”.
In 1997, John graduated from Tulane University Law School Maga Cum Laude, Order of the Coif. He was proud of his clerkship with the honorable Howell Cobb of the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas. He loved the practice of law and enjoyed mentoring younger attorneys in the law and in the art of litigation.
In 1998, He began his law practice at Teilberg, Sanders, Parks, Phoenix, Arizona with a focus on litigation of medical malpractice cases. In 2000, he joined Jardine Baker Hickman and Houston, where he continued to focus on litigation of malpractice cases and represented patients, hospitals and medical professionals. In 2017, he proudly opened The Law Offices of John E Drazkowski where he represented individuals, businesses, medical practices, and medical professionals on business issues and practices, risk litigation, regulatory and employment issues
In 2017, he became “of Counsel” at L&G Law Group where he pursued medical malpractice litigation. In 2023, he became Of Counsel at Pettit, Kohn, Ingrassia, Lutz & Dolin where he continued litigation work for business liability cases.
He proudly advocated for clients in personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, health law, and business law.
After knee replacement surgery in 2011, John developed idiopathic interstitial lung disease. After the disease progressed, in 2016, John received a bilateral lung transplant at St Joseph Hospital Norton Thoracic Institute. He faced the challenges of transplanted organs with humor and determination. When most do not survive past 5 years, John survived nine years with his new lungs. In late 2025, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and sadly died from the disease.
His dedication, intellect, judgment, wit, humor and strength of character brought him a wealth of lifelong friends. A true man of honor and inspiration: He will be missed.
A gathering in honor of John’s memory will be held at the McCaig residence 801 East Grandview Rd., Phoenix, AZ on 28th February between noon and 4 PM.

You can contact the family at Drazkowski [email protected].

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Norton Thoracic Institute at St Joseph Hospital Phoenix, Arizona.
https://www.supportstjosephs.org/donatetonortonthoracicinstitute