John Edward Pechmann

FAYETTEVILLE - John Edward Pechmann, 57, of Fayetteville, died at home Saturday, July 15, 2006.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Amy L. Pechman, and his son, John (Jack) Edward Pechmann, Jr. He was a devoted husband and father. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward L. Pechmann.

John is also survived by his mother, Lillian D. Pechmann; his brother, Gregory C. Pechmann, and his wife Wendy; his sister, Mary P. Underwood, and her husband, Robert(all of Fayetteville); his sister, Phyllis P. Maultsby, and her husband, Drew, of Chapel Hill; his sister, Dr. Anne P. Mitchell, and her husband, Bobby, of Greensboro. Also surviving are his nephew, Galen Maultsby, and niece, Bevin Maultsby, of Chapel Hill; and his nieces, Sarah Mitchell and Catherine Mitchell, of Greensboro. He is survived by the family's beloved dog Noah.

John graduated from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee in 1970 and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Law School in 1973. He practiced law in Fayetteville for the past 33 years and was a partner with the law firm of Downing, David, Downing and Pechmann. He was very active in his church St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

He was past president of the Cumberland County Bar Association, past president of the Cumberland County Democratic Men's Club, and a member of the advisory boards of the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Ducks Unlimited, and Friends of Special Operations Forces. He was also a member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club and served on a number of committees, including the Reading is Fun committee reading to kindergarten students in the Cumberland County School System.

Since 1993, John has served with distinction as a commissioner of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.He served as vice-chairman from 1997 until 1999 and subsequently as chairman from 1999 to present. In 2000, he received the Governor's Award as North Carolina Conservationist of the Year.

A passionate angler and conservationist, John gave unselfishly of his time and effort in promoting the wise management of fish and wildlife resources in North Carolina.

John has championed the development of a fishing education center in Fayetteville, which will provide memorable fishing experiences to a broad public including young people, senior citizens, and mentally and physically challenged anglers. This center will be known as the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center as unanimously decided by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission on March 2, 2005, as they honored their friend, colleague, and fellow sportsman.

Not only was John a successfully an accomplished man, but those who knew him can attest to his compassionate and generous nature, always putting others before himself, even those who he did no know. John was truly a servant of God; he often gave up his time and money to those less fortunate in the community. Those who knew him will remember John's love of family, sense of humor, wonderful smile, and charismatic presence.

The funeral will be held today at 5:00 pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2844 Village Dr., Fayetteville, with visitation at the Church beginning at 4:00 pm. Burial will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made for the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center scheduled to open in 2007. Please mail contributions to the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-1701.

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