John Vandewater, Sr., affectionately known to most of us as “Big John,” died peacefully in his sleep on August 2nd, 2015 at 7 a.m. at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, Texas. He was 57 years old.

John was born on July 20th, 1958 to Letty and Bronus Vandewater in Beaumont where he spent most of his childhood days being loved and teased by his brother Doyle and two sisters, Letty Lynn and Charlotte. John graduated from Vidor High School in 1976 and soon after married the love of his life Brenda Lucas in 1979. Shortly after being married, John had his first child John, Jr. in 1980 and four years later his youngest son Robert.

John spent the next eighteen years or so working in many different jobs including electronic technician, automotive mechanic, and most notably as an associate pastor for First Assembly of God in Port Neches, Texas.

Big John loved to be at home with his wife and sons as he would spend all of his spare time just being a dad; coaching Pop Warner football, playing with the boys and going to Karate classes. He also enjoyed watching football and Lord knows he loved his science fiction movies and music.

Some years later John and Robert were married and then came one of the greatest joys of Big John’s life: his grandchildren. No one would ever see John happier than hearing those little voices call him “Paw Paw” and jumping on his lap. Words cannot express how much he loved those kids.

John is survived by his mother, Letty Vandewater; his two sons, John and Robert Vandewater; his two sisters, Letty Short and Charlotte Tantillo; his big brother, Doyle Vandewater, and his beloved grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved father, Bronus Vandewater, who died in 1998.