Joseph Judikic

When I was a student at Ocean Township High School, Mr. Judikic saw my potential as an artist and encouraged me to draw and paint "phantasmagoric" images, as he called them. I remember his enthusiasm about my work and how he built a frame for one of my pieces. He hung all of the students' artwork up, not just those who were talented, which encouraged everyone to create. The art room was an accepting and exciting period in the week. It was his influence, and example, that made me choose a career as an art teacher myself. I followed his method of including all student artwork covering the walls of the art room. I taught art for 35 years in private as well as public schools, owned and started two summer art camps (one at Monmouth University) and volunteered at the Metropolitan Museum of art. I did not know he passed away, and am sad I did not pay respects at the time, but he is always remembered with great affection and respect. My condolences to his family.

I loved my grandpa very much I learned to do art and play football he was the best grandpa I could ever have
R.I.P

My grandpa was really good at football and other sports I miss him
R.I.P
He was also good in art I still laughed when he did the gorilla prank

Class of `74, I still have my silver cross with a pearl he helped me make. May you Have eternal peace

Today I found my HS report cards. I was an average student. The only class I got As in was art. Jumbo was my art teacher for all four years, except for one semester. I was miserable that semester. Jumbo was so funny and fun. I decided to look him up, and to my utter sadness, I found this obituary. Tears are running down my face. He was my HS ART TEACHER! I was planning to call him and tell him that I, too, am an art teacher! Didnt plan on it, but it happened. He always told me, why dont you just go into fine art? As a senior, I wanted to do fashion illustration, as that was more glamorous. I still have all my artwork from HS. I find myself teaching what he taught me. Thank you Jumbo for everything. You truly helped shaped who I am today. RIP . Barbara Esses Braha 85

Mr. Judikic was a friend from day one of freshman Art class. He made me feel so great when he told me a cartoon I had drawn as a project called Johnny Track hung in his garage with some of his other favorite pieces. He was so full of life and had a gregarious personality.

Love you Jumbo

Coach Judikic is one of those people who comes into, then out of your life. It is not until much later as you experience life do you realize how much the time you spent with them so much shaped who you became. Jumbo was one of those persons in my life. He will be missed and the world is a little darker place without you in it. Adrian Stevens Class of 1977 Go Spartans!

Always a great guy! Full of Life!

Jumbo was an amazing teacher and man. I've not remembered many teachers over the years..but I've never forgotten him. RIP

"Jumbo" - you were one of a kind at OTHS. You will be missed, my friend.

Rest in Peace Jumbo. You were one of the best teachers & coaches at OTHS. Everyone loved you and you will be missed greatly. You made a difference in everyone's life and we were blessed to have known you. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

Sincerely, The Partusch family.

A gentle big man. Always there to help & teach.
You will be missed by all that knew you.
R.I.P Mr Judidikic

B. Stewart
OTHS 1970

Sorry For Your Loss He Was A Good Man And A Great Teacher, RIP Mr. Judikic Sherri Grossman OTHS Class Of 1976

My condolences to the family. He was always kind to a person who was invisible in high school. A former student.

I think anyone who played Freshmen Football at OTHS with Mr Judikic as a coach learned a lot about responsibility, teamwork, and hard work, and how to have fun while doing it. My condolences for your loss.

Many condolences to Joe's family. He was an awesome art teacher who always took the time to help me with my pottery pieces. More then that, he was a good listener! Gave me good advice and a laugh to get me through my teenage woes! God bless you, Mr Judikic! Bonnie Buerck Class of 1972

My condolences for your loss. It's been many years since my sister and I graduated high school, but do you know over the years we both spoke of "Jumbo" and how much we missed him. I guess we will miss him more now. I just wanted you to know how much he impacted our lives. We talk about his love of art, his sense of humor, his making you do things over and over til you got it right. He instilled in us a great sense of what was right and wrong, and if we needed anything we could always go to him. But it was his passion for Art is what I will remember most. Yet not to forget the fun we had with him, he was a great teacher and missed by many. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. May your burdens be light as he rests in the Arms of the Lord. With Love and respect Dawn Bevacqui-Schlenger

I'm 57 years old. When I was 15 You touched my Heart. Just imagine when you showed me how a centrifuge worked making that Ring? May you rest in Peace Jumbo! You touched thousands of lives and made us all better to have known you. May you Rest in Peace my Teacher.

r.i.p jumbo...was my favorite art teacher..in 1980..he was almost a member of the minnesota vikings?,,r,i p joe condolences to his family!! great guy!!

Our deepest sympathy to Mr. Judikic's family. He was a wonderful teacher and an inspiration to all.

Former student

"JUMBO"... was a great man, with a BIG HEART! Thanks for the best memories! May your family be at peace knowing how many of us OT kids you made a difference with your knowledge and funny words of wisdom! #2 CASEYSBITESHOP

One of my favorite teachers. I remember him spending extra time with me on a wood carving project. (Still have it) He was always so encouraging. Rest in peace Jumbo!

Rest In Peace, "Jumbo." You touched the hearts of every student you had. My condolences to the entire family.

Jumbo was one of my favorite teachers of all time. He was the best. He also was my golf coach (never got one instruction from him)Haha. He always made us laugh even when we lost. You will be missed. RIP Jumbo
Matt Karsh 98

He was one of my favortie Teachers! What a sense of humor he had. My Prayers to the Family!

One of the VERY BEST teachers I've ever known! ALWAYS hilarious... he called me NECK and Sarge... I was a gymnast. I still think of him often wondering how he was doing... so sad he has moved on. Lots of prayers for those he leaves behind... including all of us!!! GREAT MAN!!!

Joe was a great and fun guy to work with for twenty-five years at OTHS.

Jumbo would always check the lunch bags in the teacher's room at Ocean and if he liked what he found, you would lose your lunch! What a great tease he was. Rest in peace.

Coach Judikic:

I will never forget my time with him at OTHS, he was a great coach, art teacher and leader who tried his best to make men out of boys.

Starting freshman year, football camp.

To his prohibition against using four letter Anglo Saxon words, and stories about his college days playing football and golf, and about working as a rough neck in the oil fields during college ...

During football practice freshman year, I was making fun of the golf team, which Mr. Judikic coached. In typical Judikic style he got in my face, told me what golf was really about and challenged me to make the team.

That year, I went out and bought some 2nd hand ladies golf clubs at garage sale, got a book from the library (Jack Nicholas Golf-which I may still have), befriended anyone in the school who played golf, and taught myself to play.

I went on to make the golf team, and helped lead the OTHS team to a shore championship and still have the plaque to this day.

There are teachers, mentors in your life that you never forget, JUMBO was one of them.

At first you may see the physical prowess of the man and think that's how he got the name JUMBO.

However, after spending hours on the golf course, taking most of his art classes, and time on the football field, and having the luck to be able look back through and adults eyes, I am sure it was due to the size of his heart, sacrifice and commitment he made to students...

RIP

I was recently asked who my favorite teacher was and I immediately responded Mr. Judikic. I was always happy to go to class. I not only learned in his class but he made me laugh which made it feel like fun not work. I wish there were more teachers like him. Class of 1984
My sincerest condolences to his family.

I enjoyed Mr. Judikic as an art teacher and a nice person. (OTHS 1973) May God's loving arms of comfort surround his family at this time.

Jumbo was a great guy and a fun coach. It was the most fun I ever had PLAYING football.

This man put a smile on my face every day in school. Thank you for always being there! Rest in peace jumbo!!

I had him for art class Freshman & Sophmore year. Was one of my favorite teachers ( I had his wife for 7th grade science) . He will be missed. Gone way too young. RIP Jumbo Joe

I'm truly sorry for the world's loss of Mr. J. I had him in high school but what really stands out is passing by him in the halls and seeing his smile and hearing his happy, booming voice. May you rest in peace, Mr. J.

I am very sorry for your loss. He was indeed a great teacher and person. He always had a great sense of humor and his class was never boring. RIP!

Rest In Peace Mr. Judikic. You were the best art teacher I ever had, you always encouraged me to stay with it and I loved you for that.
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Rest in peace, Jumbo! You were a great guy and a great coach! Those 4 years at OTHS we're some of the best years of my life!

He was definitely one of my favorite teachers at OTHS and a huge inspiration to me. I have carried some of his teachings throughout my life. You will be missed Sir...Rest in the arms of the Angels*** My heart goes out to his family and friends***

He was such a good teacher and helped so many of us through some depressing times. I used to stay after school just to work along side him on my pottery and charcoal pieces. I loved his classes and looked forward to seeing him every day. He will be missed! I am so sorry for your loss, but know his students loved him.

THE reason I went to school for graphic design! Most inspirational teacher I ever had!

Mr. Judikic was and always be a great artist.

He was one my favorite teachers at Ocean Twp High school. He was an inspirational artist and always handled the students with a wonderful sense of humor. I am sorry for your loss.

I am very sorry to hear this sad news. I still have several drawing I did in his OTHS art class in the 1980's.