F. John Pylman Jr.

F. John Pylman, Jr. of Easton, Cali-fornia, a longtime music educator has passed on to dwell in the house of our Lord with everlasting music on Saturday, September 27, 2008, at 8:13 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred John Pylman and Edith Catherine Graf Pylman, formerly of Sheldon, Iowa. John was born in Rock Valley, Iowa, on June 20, 1924. He grew up in Sheldon, Iowa, where he showed an interest and talent for music. He was afforded the opportunity to learn the bassoon when the school purchased this instrument when he was in the seventh grade. John became the drum major at the high school and during a period of time when the band director was ill, John ran band practice and through his leadership the band brought home a first place trophy; the first one ever in the history of the high school. F. John served in World War II in the United States Army, Infantry, Rainbow Division, as an acting Battalion Sergeant Major from 1943 until 1946. He came home from the war and married Mary Helen on June 23, 1946, in Maxwell, Iowa. For the next two years he juggled being a husband, a new father, and a university student. He earned his B.A. in public school music (bassoon and voice) on August 19, 1948, from the University of Northern Iowa (formerly Iowa State Teachers College), Cedar Falls, Iowa. He began his teaching career in February of 1948, for the Dysart Consolidated Schools. John completed his Master Degree in Music and Administration in 1954, from the University of Nebraska. Needing to find a drier warmer climate for their son, the Pylmans moved first to New Mexico where F. John was Director of Bands for the Lovington Municipal Schools (1952-1955) and Head of the Music Department-Director of Bands for Fort Sumner Municipal Schools (1956-1959). His second career move to Easton, Ca., in 1959, was a perfect match for this dedicated and experienced Band Director. He became the Chairman, Division of Fine Arts at Washington Union High School. He also was the Head of the Music Department and the Director of Bands. He touched the lives of non-musical students by teaching various classes in history and government. His mid-western roots matched those of Easton and he soon became ensconced in his new community. For the next 25 years, with his passion, enthusiasm, dedication and leadership F. John built a powerful tradition of music appreciation among his students which spread to parents, brothers and sisters, and encompassed the Easton community for several generations. Pylman immersed himself in his chosen community - he was elected to the local elementary school district board of education and to the Easton Community Services District. In addition to his role of music educator and community activist, John was involved and actively participated in numerous professional organizations such as NEA, CTA, CA Music Educators Association, Fresno-Madera Music Educators Asso-ciation, CA Band Directors Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He has received numerous awards, honors and recognition for his 50 years of active involvement in the music education of the youth of the central valley and the state of California. The most recent award was given earlier this year when he received the CMEA Aubrey Penman Retired Music Educator Award in Sacramento at their annual convention. In 2000, F. John was admitted to the CMEA "Hall of Fame". While in retirement, Pylman founded and was Chief Judge for the Western Independent Marching-Concert Music Adjudicators, providing judges for parades and musical competitions throughout the valley. His last event was assigning adjudicators to the Caruthers Parade on Saturday, September 27, 2008. He is survived by Mary Helen, his loving wife of 62 years; his sister, Mary Colleen Brower of San Francisco; his son, David John Pylman and his wife Joan of Cerritos, Ca.; and granddaughter, Maureen Eliza-beth Pylman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A Musical Memorial Service will be held at the Fresno First Congregational Church on Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 10:31 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the "Organ Fund" at the Fresno First Congregational Church, 2131 North Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, Ca., 93704 or the Easton Presbyterian Church, 5895 S. Elm Ave. Easton, Ca., 93706.