John Frank Sweazy

John Frank Sweazy of Trinity, Florida left this earth on 17 September 2020. He was born on 23 December 1936 to Charles Leonard and Mary Julia (nee Griman) Sweazy in Elkhart, Indiana.  After his mother's untimely death in 1943, he and his brother Charles Leonard Jr. were raised by his mother's sister, Elizabeth, and her husband John Fister. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1954 and enrolled in Western Michigan College where he played baseball and football. In February of 1956 he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox baseball club and signed to a minor league contract.  After an injury cut his baseball career short, he returned to what had become Western Michigan University and he earned a Bachelor's degree.  While in college he married Pamela Kay Pauley of Elkhart.  They had four children and eventually moved to Long Beach, California in 1962.  He earned his teaching certificate at Long Beach State but after another injury he returned to the Elkhart area to recover. In 1968 the family returned to Costa Mesa, California and remained in Orange County for almost thirty years. While there, John was a High School teacher at Costa Mesa and Estancia High Schools where he was a history teacher and coach. He was a football coach for many years and head football coach at Costa Mesa high school for 3 years in the early 70s. He also coached wrestling, golf, and softball over the years. He later earned a Master's Degree in Computer Education, and taught that and keyboarding towards the end of his teaching career.  He retired to Lincoln City, Oregon for a few years in the late nineties to be near some of his children and grandchildren. In 2001 though, he and Pam re-settled to Florida to be near other grandchildren. While living in Heritage Springs he spent most of his time enjoying golf and bridge.  His guilty pleasure was horse racing, and he could handicap a race with the best. His grandchildren were all schooled in statistics, pretty colors, and creative names at the schools of Del Mar, Santa Anita, and Hollywood. He usually was in the top three but a special horse, "Southerner," remains imbedded in family lore, and cost him a few pennies. We believe John is headed to the paddocks now to take issue with the horse who left for the glue factory before he had a chance. The grandkids also got advanced statistics training during many a late-night card game that he hosted. Being the competitive athlete and coach that he was, they learned to win. There were no "gimmes," especially because he usually won. His personal gift, however, was always a meal made from scratch. His love was manifested in the kitchen. The family that predeceased him are now enjoying the best short ribs and noodles in heaven. He is survived by his wife Pam; his daughter Lisa Durkin of Lutz, Florida, her husband John and their three daughters and six grandchildren; his son Michael of Tarpon Springs, Florida, his wife Kimberly, and their three daughters; his daughter Louise Anne Kulju of Pacific City, Oregon, her husband Steve and their daughter; his daughter Phyllis Lynn Sweazy of Casper, Wyoming and her son and daughter; his brother Charles and his wife Judith, of San Clemente, California; his sister Elizabeth Espinoza of Redlands, California; his sister Theresa Fister of Elkhart, Indiana; and Pam's sister Phyllis and her husband David Dygert of Elkhart, Indiana.  He was a great man, husband, and father. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great grand-children passionately and they all returned that love. He was always a big personality that attracted a following.  He will be forever missed.