Name: Celebration of Life for John Richard Getz
Start: 2018-10-27T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-10-27T21:00:00.000Z
Location: The Bowman Restaurant

John Richard Getz Esquire, 64 of Colonial Beach, VA passed away in his home Friday, October 19, 2018. He was born Thursday, December 17, 1953 in Bethlehem, PA. He was a valedictorian graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy in 1971. He then went on to Towson University where he earned a degree in Political Science and later his Juris Doctorate from University of Baltimore. John was an accomplished attorney and musician. A professional trombonist, he performed at the first inauguration of Richard Nixon (1969) and the 2nd Inauguration of George W. Bush (2005). He played with several bands and jazz groups and performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Barry Manilow, Ray Charles and Perry Como among others. John is survived by his wife, Emma Powell, his two sons, Richard John (Celene) Getz, and Matthew (Cara) Getz and three siblings, Peggy Murr, Tom (Dawn) Getz, and Anne (Timothy) Goshert. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Getz and Berenice Morse. A Celebration of John's Life will be held Saturday, October 27th from 2-5pm at The Bowman Restaurant, 9306 Harford Rd, Parkville, MD 21234. Eulogies and memories will be shared from 4-5pm. Donations may be made in John's memory to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060, (online at donatenow.heart.org). Online condolences may be left for the family at www.storkefuneralhome.com.

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Published by Baltimore Sun on Oct. 24, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for John Getz

Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.

19 Entries

Wayne and Jeannette Rose

November 6, 2018

To the Getz Family,
We are so sorry to hear about John. We have been neighbors of John's for the past 12 years on the next block over. We met John while walking our dogs and often stopped to talk with him. We also, on quite a few occasions, helped John find his dog Pollie when she got loose in the neighborhood. Will miss seeing him.

Valley Forge trombonist John Getz between Dan Witter to left and Mike Brooks to right

Dan Witter

October 30, 2018

John was a gem; a friend and marvelous musician. His loss is unimaginable. He was among the finest trombone players with whom I've had the pleasure of performing, far surpassing my ability. He loved playing 3rd trombone parts in our time with the Valley Forge Military Academy Band; he'd peel the paint off Kuncl Hall with his King 3-B on impossibly fast and exposed passages, and conductor Col. Feltham loved that sound. John's father (Mr. Getz to me) was a wonderful man as well. Mr. Getz followed my 2 years as a member of the Millersville University concert band following Valley Forge. Two true gentlemen with remarkable legacies. Rest in peace, John.

Samuel Martin

October 30, 2018

To the Getz Family, I am so sorry to hear of John's Passing. I have many memories of growing up together with John in the trombone section of the Malta Band of Lancaster. Our lives have been blessed by the kindness and friendship of John. He will be missed. Rest in peace John. Samuel Martin

Anne Goshert

October 26, 2018

This is just one of the many stories that I could tell about John, but it is telling of who he was. In our mother's later years, she developed dementia. When living on her own became too much she moved in with our family in MN. My brother John called mom every.single.day. He would listen to her same stories over and over again and act as though they were the first time he heard them. Mom could not remember our names, so John composed a song with the 4 of our (her children) names in it, and he would sing it to her. Many days he would prompt her to sing along with him, and she did. John probably never knew this, but when he called mom, I knew that I had at least 30 minutes of time to get something else done around the house and I knew that my mom would be happily occupied. #youwillbetrulymissed

Debbie LiPira

October 25, 2018

We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep all of you in our thought and prayers and hope that you find comfort and peace in your memories.

Tom Merman

October 25, 2018

To the Getz family. Should have mentioned in my previous posting of a little know fact about John. When we were bandsmen at VF, John would be referred to as Stan, referencing the notable big band Jazz musician and recording artist of the 40's, Stan Getz, who was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Pa. Even back then, John's musical ability was recognized by his fellow musicians as being a cut above the rest.
It obviously carried over into his professional life.

Tom Merman

October 25, 2018

To the Entire Getz family. An old adage says a person is only gone if we stop remembering. Proud that I played in the band at VF with John.
He was accomplished beyond his years. My sincerest and deepest condolences. Take care my friend. Lest We Forget

Paul and Kathy Harclerode

October 24, 2018

Condolences to the Getz family. Kathy and Paul Harclerode, close friends of Tom and Dawn.

Dawn Anderson

October 24, 2018

Thanks for the memories...I will miss you. Prayers to the Getz family.

American Heart Association

October 24, 2018

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

Zain Shirazi

October 24, 2018

John was an amazing colleague and friend. In the office and in court, he was funny and fun to be around. He was always willing to help out no matter how difficult and frustrating the task. John won trials without fanfare and without asking for any credit. He was a low-key, humble man who made the office a better place. I am so very grateful to have been able to meet, work with, and get to know John Getz.

Joseph Norris

October 24, 2018

I met John as a reporter for thebaynet.com, my last journalism job before I retired. He was a public defender and I covered court cases in Charles County Maryland where he worked. One of the first circuit court cases I covered there was for a mother of five who was driving her son's car and was pulled over for a cracked windshield. The officer found a straw with what appeared to be drug residue on it and arrested her. John told the court that when the substance on the straw was analyzed in turned out to be a chocolate McDonald's milk shake. He said to the judge, "Your honor, I don't know which is worse, the crack cocaine or the McDonald's milk shake." The judge dismissed the case.

A fellow musician, I enjoyed our talks out in the smoking area during breaks in cases. I have since quit smoking. In another month it will be a year.

Condolences and thoughts to the family.

Tom McNicholas

October 24, 2018

John, you called Friday evening. I wish I had answered your call. Thanks for always being a friend I could count on. Rest in Peace. Tom M.

Dave Shelley

October 24, 2018

Too soon...On my first day of school at E.R. Martin John walked in with trombone. We talked baseball and that afternoon I began spending many days at the Getz's. Great left-handed pitcher, all time whiffle ball home run hitter, blazing fast and a great childhood friend.
My heart goes out to Peggy, Tommy, and Anne in the lost of a brother.

October 24, 2018

My sincere condolences. May the God of all comfort strengthen you all during this difficult time. Rom 15:4

JD

October 24, 2018

To the family of John Richard Getz I would like to express my condolences to you and may you receive the comfort that God can give as He put his right hand out to you Isa.41:10.13

Patricia Bowles-Buckler

October 24, 2018

Rest In Peace John. It was a pleasure to know and work with you during the many years we worked for the Public Defender.

Daniel Caughey

October 23, 2018

A gentleman in every sense of the word. He always had a smile. I never heard him speak an unkind word of anyone or anything. He was a better man than I.

Daniel M Caughey, CPA
LTC US Army Ret
Ranger Class 502-71
PO Box 1712
Mill Valley CA 94942
415 595 2118
Valley Forge Band
'70 College

Rhenda Fearrington Fearrington

October 23, 2018

Dear John,

I didn't need to know you, to know that if you were my friend Peggy's brother, you were a good person. It will be a challenge for your family to accept what God's plan was for you, but in time they will. You are in the best hands possible, now.

Rest In Peace.

Rhenda

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