John Richard "Johnny" Mendleski III

Captain John "Johnny" Richard Mendleski III departed on his final charter October 6, 2024 at the age of 70. Though he may have left his physical body, his lifelong legacy is merely just beginning. Legends never die.
Johnny was brought into to the world by his mother, Mitzi Mendleski and father, John Mendleski on May 21, 1954 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the fifth child born into a united family that never left his side. His siblings are Ron Mendleski (Norma), Beverly Talmage (Chuck), Terry Mendleski, Mona Ansley (Jim), Mark Mendleski (deceased) and Mary Smith (Michael). Growing up he was a renaissance man. Johnny excelled in surfing, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, camping, skiing, and baseball.
His brothers and sisters agree he is and always will be the favorite sibling. He was consistently loving towards each of them. Mary, his little sister, said "Johnny would look into your eyes and you could feel the depth of his soul.". He was the protector of the family, his siblings felt safe and secure in his presence. He taught them lessons about kindness and patience and from a young age, Johnny seemed to be born with an old soul. Mona said he loved riding his horse, Cinnamon, who he named after his favorite Neil Young song, Cinnamon Girl. His sisters said he was the cutest baby they had ever seen, with big blue eyes and a freckled nose. They would all snuggle up underneath homemade quilts handmade by their grandmother and gaze up at the mosaic colors reflected by the warm sunlight. Waking up to the caramelized smell of his signature banana pancakes will always evoke nostalgia. Johnny's love language was cooking especially having his family and friends around his table. For them, there was no other place else they would rather be. He set an incredible example for his brothers and sisters on how to be a good son and brother. His siblings said he truly modeled Jesus.
He graduated from Richard King High School in 1972. After high school, he practiced carpentry and studied architecture until he discovered his permanent vocation as a fishing guide in 1989. Coined with the nickname "Minnow", he received his captains license that same year. He was much more than just a fishing guide. He was a professional standup comedian, chef, caretaker, empath, protector and leader on and off the boat.
Whether you fished with him for one day or thousands, Johnny somehow always made you feel like the most important person in the world. He had a rare gift of being able to spot a school of red fish from hundreds of feet away. Cruising 50mph he would say "Get your rods ready, 12 o'clock!", meanwhile you're blinking ferociously trying to get tears back into your windblown eyes, wondering how on earth he spotted tails that far away. Rumor has it, that the law regulating the take-home limit of redfish was created because of Johnny, the law didn't exist until after he started guiding.
Each unforgettable day would end with sun-kissed cheeks that were sore from laughing, or from attempting to eat the frozen snickers he tossed at you earlier. He had a way of telling jokes that kept you on the edge of your seat and always executed the punchline flawlessly. Knowing he had a fish on the line, Johnny would yell, "Five dollars on the first fish!", moments later he would set his hook and let out his infectious laugh. The full box of fish was merely the cherry on top of getting a day out with Captain John. If someone complained during a slow day, he would nonchalantly respond with "There's tissues in the glove box."
In his younger years, Johnny's nomadic heart took him on adventures around the world for months at a time. Adventures like road tripping to El Salvador and Mexico in search of the best surf break or spending the summer building log cabins in rural Wyoming (he always claimed he knew where Butch Cassidy's buried treasure was), and where he also worked as a rodeo clown. In the end, it was his love for the Laguna Madre that always guided him back home. Maybe it was the laguna, or maybe it was the beautiful Lady bartending at Star Street who always caught his eye.
Jennifer "Joey" Jo Callahan, who feared being on the water at the time, finally accepted Johnny's invitation to go fishing. She was nervous and recalls that "she didn't want to screw up the date" because she knew Johnny was the man of her dreams. The feeling was mutual. One and a half years later, Johnny asked her father John Callahan and mother Ann Callahan for her hand in marriage. Their decision was eased knowing their daughter would be marrying a man who would put her first for the rest of his life.
On May 22, 1989, Joey and Johnny tied a knot of their own. Hand in hand they chose the other forever. They shared 35 years together, and took "until death do us part" to the very end. They spoke to each other without words, laughed till they wet their pants and always put the other first. After a days work, they reconnected by cuddling in their recliner chair made for one. One hand on Joey, the other hand holding a coffee cup full of Bluebell Dutch Chocolate ice cream filled to the top with milk. Johnny would whisper an ongoing joke in her ear, "You're gonna make a good cook for someone someday, Joey". She would playfully laugh in response and kiss him on the cheek.
On March 15, 1990, they welcomed their greatest joy, Robert "Holt" Mendleski. Together they raised a tenacious little boy who would go on to achieve unfathomable accomplishments. As an infant, Johnny would bundle Holt into a small float, tie the rope around his waders and take him fishing. They were inseparable best friends. He gifted him a childhood that could only be described as a fairytale for a young boy. Johnny was always the first to send out mass text messages doting his son's successes. Holt's endearing love for his father is reflected daily in the way he leads his own life. Johnny and Holt called each other not once, but 2-3 times daily, always answering the phone call with an extremely loud drawn out "Yoooo Fella" or "Wasss up, Fella", that would escalate into nonsensical jumbled words and laughter. The phone call would comedically end with "Ok, I'll call you in five minutes".
In 2007, Rachel Scott was invited to a BBQ in the Mendleski's backyard. The same backyard where Johnny would swing his future grandson. Upon arrival, Johnny immediately handed her a smoked sausage roll, then two more. Afterwards he told Joey, "Dang, that little girl can eat.". Little did she know, that was the way straight to his heart. There she stayed, like a black drum on a shrimp, loyally waiting for the next morsel. Eleven years later she married Holt, elated to become Johnny and Joey's daughter.
On June 15, 2023, Rachel and Holt welcomed Gannett Grey Mendleski into the world. Gannett is the first and only grandchild on both sides of the family. Gannett was notorious for choosing Johnny over everyone, including his mother. He inherited Johnny's striking blue eyes and is a spitting image of his grandfather. They spent countless hours walking around outside slapping oak trees, blowing bubbles, belly laughing and listening to birds. Upon their return, Johnny would smile and whisper in Gannett's ear, "Little Fella, never forget what I told you.". Those whispers were only for the two of them. Prior to his cancer diagnosis he wrote to Gannett,
"Listen for crickets and owls at night.
Pick out a favorite bird song.
Learn to read the surface of the water.
Love life and enjoy!"
We ask that you never stop telling stories about Johnny. Celebrate what was and what is yet to come. Cherish the memories of him and walk in his wise footsteps. And when you reach for the tissues just remember, "they're in the glove box".
He is survived by many nieces and nephews who are left with countless memories of him: Austin, Ron Jr., Joe, Jon, Jason, Paige, Farrah (deceased), Jenny, Maggie, Ashley, Amanda, Crystal, Colin, Corbin, Nicolette, Tre, Benton, Margaret and Betsy.
On behalf of the Mendleski family, we want to give thanks to Blanca and Maria who sacrificed their time selflessly to make him comfortable in the end. We are thankful for his army of dedicated friends that always showed up: Philip Skrobarczyk, Moe and Judy Havelka, Mary and Andy Scott, Larry Childers, John Hearn, Tommy Haddad, David and Polly Dunn, Lance Bradley, Pat Nye, David Rowsey, Jackie Shelton, Danny Juarer, Annell Gollihar, Ben and Pat Wallace, Rick and Tana Loveday, Fr. Paul Hesse and so so many more.
Johnny Mendleski's service will be held on October 18, 2024 at St. Pius X Church. The Rosary will be held at 10:30 am with the funeral ceremony at 11:00 am. Afterwards, please join us in celebration at the Parish Hall for a lunch reception.
St. Pius X Church
5620 Gollihar Rd
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
United States
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