John Summers Oehler Jr.

1941 - 2022

OEHLER, John Summers, Jr., passed away on January 17, 2022, after a long fight with Parkinson's disease. John was a beloved husband, a devoted father and a lifelong educator.

John was born on June 6, 1941 in Kannapolis, N.C., to John and Lucile (Lipe) Oehler. John was the eldest of three jovial brothers who grew up in North Carolina alongside their cousins. During high school, he became an Eagle Scout and played saxophone in both the marching band and a professional dance band.

After graduating from Davidson College, John completed a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and began teaching high school social studies. During this time, he met his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Sue (Sassaman) Oehler.

In 1965, John and Mary Sue were married. They spent the early years of their marriage teaching in North Carolina, while John earned his doctorate from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In 1970, a faculty position in teacher education in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) pulled John and Mary Sue to Richmond, Virginia.

As a leader at VCU, John listened well, championed the faculty's accomplishments, kept a sense of humor and became an enthusiastic Rams basketball fan. As Dean (1985 to 2002), he further established VCU as an urban-serving institution and national leader in teacher education. He guided the School of Education's initial development efforts to secure funding for scholarships, faculty development and unrestricted gifts.

In retirement, he continued in positions for organizations he held dear: board member of an adult day services organization, pro bono fundraiser and program development guide for a local YMCA, stewardship chair for his church and President of the Retired Faculty Council of VCU.

John prioritized family and faith. He delighted in becoming "Papa" to five grandchildren and loved spending time with extended family – listening to, laughing with and supporting all. His many church contributions included serving on the council, teaching Sunday school, playing handbells and singing in the choir.

Music and the outdoors were lifelong passions for John. He loved all music, particularly jazz and his saxophone enlivened family singalongs. Hiking and fishing in the woods of Pennsylvania and vacationing on the beaches of Virginia brought him joy.

John was predeceased by his brother, James Oehler (Sandy Oehler Delonis, Orlando, Fla.). Survivors include his wife, Mary Sue; children, Susan Herrick (Greg) of Phoenix, Michael Oehler (Anne) of Durham and Annabelle Allard (Mark) of Arlington; grandchildren, Lars Oehler, Siri Oehler, Hannah Allard, John Allard and Elsa Allard; brother, George Oehler (Jaynelle) of Hampton; sister-in-law, Annabelle Wenzke (John) of York, Pa.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements are by Woody Funeral Home - Parham. A funeral will be held at Epiphany Lutheran Church on February 26, 2022 at 1 p.m. to be immediately followed by a reception. Gifts in memory of John S. Oehler may be given to the John and Mary Sue Oehler Scholarship for Urban Education, VCU School of Education, P.O. Box 843042, Richmond, Va. 23286; or to Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1400 Horsepen Road, Richmond, Va. 23226.