John Paul Oswalt

John Paul Oswalt, 70, was welcomed home into the loving arms of our Lord on June 7, 2025, after a four-month long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born November 4, 1954, to James Paul Oswalt and Evelyn Penton Oswalt, John grew up in Blanchard, Louisiana, with his younger brother, Gordon.
Of all his accomplishments, John was most proud of his loving family. John married his high school sweetheart, Donna Pellegrin, at the age of 19. During the course of their incredible 38 years of marriage they welcomed two children, Bryan and Mallory, who were their parents' greatest source of joy.
He began his professional career serving as a house parent with Donna at Methodist Children's Home for several years. He continued his love of working with at-risk youth in various roles at multiple different facilities including Johnny Gray Jones Youth Shelter and Shreveport Mental Health. During this time, he completed a bachelor's degree from LSUS. He soon found one of two lifelong advocation when he was offered a teaching position serving students with special needs. He continued pursuing a career in education for the next 26 years in Caddo Parish. At the same time, his joy for music and the Lord led him into serving as a music minister in various North Louisiana Baptist churches for over 40 years.
John became a widow after his precious Donna lost her long battle with breast cancer in 2013. The Lord (and maybe Donna, too) led John to the second love of his life when he married Linda Bamburg, a fellow educator. He acquired two bonus daughters, Laura and Katie, whose children allowed him to assume one of his most joyous roles, Papa John. John relished the time he spent with his grandchildren Hadlee Pearl and Thomas Rush.
Beyond his family, John's passions included gardening, cooking, traveling, supporting local art and honing a very electric taste in music. In 2017, John achieved a lifetime goal of becoming a master gardener. He used gardening as an outreach tool for his community.
John is proceeded in death by his parents, James and Evelyn Oswalt; Donna's parents, Carroll and Mickey Pellegrin; wife, Donna Oswalt; son, Bryan Oswalt; brothers-in-law, Ray Pellegrin and Chris Pellegrin; and sister-in-law, Chris Ann Pellegrin.
John is survived by his wife, Linda Oswalt; daughter, Mallory and her partner, Avalon Holloway; daughter-in-law, Ellodie Oswalt; bonus daughters, Laura (Blake) Carter and Katie (Mark) Moroni; grandchildren, Hadlee Moroni and Thomas Carter; brother, Gordon (Gala) Oswalt; brothers and sisters in law, Rick (Debbie) Pellegrin, Daniel (Lilia) Pellegrin, Sr.; Bobbie (Randy) Carlson and Joe (Cyllene) Pellegrin; along with numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers are his nephews and sons-in-law: Jarred Pellegrin, Joel Pellegrin, CJ Pellegrin, Andrew Pellegrin, Alan Pellegrin, Daniel Pellegrin, Jr., Todd Pellegrin, Jacob Carlson, Eric Carlson, Stephen Carlson, Mark Moroni and Blake Carter.
A memorial service will be held at Noel Memorial United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. All guests are invited to the reception following in the church hall.
The Oswalt family wishes to thank the medical staff and caregivers at Ochsner's and PAM Hospital for their outstanding care and kindness.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Methodist Children's Home.