John Lair Sieren

1933 - 2023

John Lair Sieren
October 16, 1933 - April 26, 2023
Arlington, Texas - John Lair Sieren passed away April 25, 2023, after a long illness. The only child of Frans Evrett and Anna Marinda Sieren, John was born October 16, 1933, in Clovis, New Mexico. He graduated from Clovis High School in 1951, earned a BBA degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 1954, and received a law degree from SMU in 1962
On August 30, 1953, he married Elizabeth Fagan. The two met two years earlier when she challenged him to a game of ping pong in the H-SU Student Center. He won the game, but she won the guy. This marriage lasted sixty-nine years and produced two daughters, Luanne and Paula.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a high-speed radio operator.
John started his law career working with Fort Worth Attorneys Kelly Jacobs and Cue Lipscomb. In 1965, he opened a general law practice which ultimately evolved into a family law practice. In 1987, he was appointed a Tarrant County Family Law Associate Judge with the 233rd District Court. He served in this court eight years, retiring in 1995.
John was a loyal supporter of Hardin-Simmons University. He was a charter member of the Young Associates, a group of men under the age of 40 who served in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees. He later served on the H-SU Board of Trustees for 8 years.
John's missionary grandmother instilled in him a strong Christian faith which he carried with him all his life. He joined First Baptist Church Arlington in 1957. He loved Mission Arlington. He served on the Mission Arlington / Mission Metroplex Board, composed and presented MA reports to Sunday School classes at FBCA, and helped tell the Christmas Story at the Christmas store. He was ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 2012. Duff Elementary School played an important part in John's life. In 1965, he became the first male President of the Duff P-TA. Both of his daughters attended the school and wife Liz taught 4th grade there. After retiring, he volunteered at Duff reading to First Graders. For several years, he presented the Duff Retired Teacher's Scholarship to a former Duff Student at the Arlington High School Awards Ceremony. His presentations were always unique and received lots of laughter.
Hobbies played a huge role in John's life. He became a bowler in the late 60's after a friend asked him to join the Handley Baptist Bowling League. He soon became skilled and successful in the sport, winning rings for 300 games and recognition in various leagues. He served 9 years as a member of the American Bowling Congress Board of Directors. After retirement, John became a golfer joining the Arlington Senior Men's Golf Association. He was not as successful in golf as he had been in bowling, but he enjoyed the friendships he made while playing.
After retirement, John and Liz spent half of each year at their mountain home in Sapello, New Mexico where he established many lifelong friends. Collecting antiques became a passion for John. His studio shelves were lined with his various collections along with books describing each one. Visiting antique stores was a fun activity in New Mexico, along with his newly acquired interest in sketching and watercolor art. Every Wednesday was spent in Susan Post's art class in Las Vegas, NM.
He is survived by wife Elizabeth, Daughters Luanne Ray and Paula Martindale, son-in-law Steve Martindale, grandsons Brandon Ray, Josh Ray (wife Corina), Jesse Martindale (wife Kimberly), granddaughter Kayla Martindale, great-grandson Dalton Martindale, great-granddaughters Jaxyn Cauldren, Tannyr Ray and Briana Ray.
A visitation for John will be held Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012. A funeral service will occur Monday 2PM, May 1, 2023, at Moore Funeral Home in the North Chapel. Burial will immediately follow at Parkdale Cemetery, 701 Mary Street, Arlington, TX 76010.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mission Arlington or the Duff Retired Teacher Scholarship Fund.
Special thanks are extended to Faith, Ginger, Allysa, Christy, and Tish with Tender Hearts Hospice. Their caring compassion allowed John to be at home for the last few months of his life.