John William Soose

John William Soose, 81, of Montgomery, TX, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026.

He was born August 1, 1944, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, to Helen Fratila Soose and Jack Frank Soose. As the son of a career U.S. Air Force serviceman, John lived in Dayton, OH; Bermuda; and Japan, where he graduated from Johnson High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduation and served in Vietnam from 1962–1966. Upon his return to the United States, he battled and was treated for malaria in San Diego, CA. Once medically cleared, he joined his parents in Minot, ND, where his father was stationed.

While attending Minot University in the winter of 1966, he met Betty Marie Smith. They were married June 11, 1967, in Hazen, ND, at English Lutheran Church. Shortly after marriage, they moved to Dallas with what little they had in a car and trailer; despite early setbacks, they held to the belief, "someday, we will laugh at this." They raised their two children in Dallas for thirty years.

John worked for Collins Radio, Rockwell International, Recognition Equipment, and Alcatel, which included travel to Italy and France. While pursuing psychology studies through online classes at Walden University, he earned a Master's in Psychology with a focus on helping at-risk youth; concurrently he worked as a life coach and counselor at a Virginia prison. He served in various roles at Central Lutheran Church in Dallas, St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, and First Lutheran Church in Norfolk, and made Tree of Life Lutheran Church his church home after he and Betty moved to Montgomery. He enjoyed playing golf, landscaping, and traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Marie Soose; daughter, Jacqueline Shawn (Soose) Cruson and spouse Robin Garrett Cruson; son, Jordan Smith Soose and spouse Ashley Erin Soose; granddaughter, Jenna Renee Soose; grandson, Jensen William Soose; and sisters, Jackie Hanson, Joan Bullmer, and Gina Field (spouse Larry Field).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Frank Soose and Helen (Flower) Fratila Soose; brother-in-law, Loyd Smith; and parents-in-law, Henry George and Vivian Elvera Smith.

A memorial service will be held April 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Tree of Life Lutheran Church, Montgomery, TX, with live streaming available for those who cannot attend in person. A reception will be held at the church following the service. Funeral and visitation details will be announced by the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in John's memory to St. Joseph's Indian School in South Dakota (give.stjo.org) or Wounded Warrior Project.