Mr. John Roy Hrenchir

1949 - 2024

LANCASTER, S.C. - Mr. John Roy Hrenchir, 74, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at his home.

He was born Nov. 12, 1949, in Portsmouth, Va., into the Norfolk naval community, the son of the late Paul Leroy Hrenchir and the late Frances Grace Roy Hrenchir.

The young Navy family would soon relocate to National City, Calif., where John would spend his young years and where the family residence is still occupied by John's sisters.

John was an altar boy at St. Mary Catholic Church and was active in Pony League and Little League baseball and Pop Warner football, and he loved surfing and skateboarding. After high school, John wandered a bit, ultimately settling in San Francisco, where he met his first wife, Kathy Osteen, and began his family with two sons, Jeremy and Ryan.

John developed an allegiance to the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers, which remained throughout his life. San Francisco also fueled John's love of music and he especially enjoyed being backstage with the Rolling Stones, Santana and Bob Marley and The Wailers. His very first concert was the supergroup with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

John's journey in life next took him searching across America, where he found peace and contentment in the home he would call South Carolina, especially Lancaster.

John met and married his second wife, Mary Dixon Hrenchir, and with his four dogs - Trouble, Fifi, Bear and Pepé - and his birds Iwo and Jima - joined the Lancaster community.

Mr. Hrenchir was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, where he was involved in Missions for the Poor, and Prison Ministries. He had a gift of working with these groups and loved being in Lancaster to give back to these ministries. Mr. Hrenchir was also very involved in the 12-step program here in Lancaster to help those who suffered with drug and alcohol addiction. Mr. Hrenchir was a member of Knights of Columbus and was recognized nationally for service as a Golden Knight for over a 10-year period.

John was a loving son, brother, spouse, father and friend. Throughout his life, he loved to travel, whether back country roads or internationally. He had just recently started a "dream fund," hoping to add Kenya to his mission service activities, which included multiple trips to Jamaica.

He loved music, saying his prayers on the porch at night, a good book, a good joke (although he was known to tell more than a few bad puns), a good cup of coffee, and a good cigar (just like his own Pop). But as much as he loved these things, big and small, he loved his family, friends and pets to the depth of his heart. He will be remembered for his big heart, sense of humor, and genuine love for those who touched his life.

John is survived by his three sons, Jeremy Osteen and Ryan Osteen, both of Hagerstown, Md., and Jamal Hrenchir of California; his two sisters, Mary Josephine Hrenchir and Theresa Ann Hrenchir, both of San Diego, Calif.; and his niece, Gina Coghlan of Hagerstown.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; and a sister, Paula Coghlan.

The Mass of Christian burial for John will be 11 a.m. Monday, June 24, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, officiated by Father Javier Heredia.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at Burgess Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, memorials may be made to Missionaries of the Poor, P.O. Box 450769, Atlanta, GA 31145; or to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Prison Ministry, 7095 Waxhaw Highway, Lancaster, SC 29720.

An online guest register is available for condolences on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com.

Burgess Funeral Home and Crematory of Lancaster is caring for the family of Mr. John Hrenchir.