John Carchedi

John Matthew Peter Carchedi, 72, of New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2022. Born in Youngstown, Ohio on September 21, 1949, and raised in Lowellville Ohio, John was the eldest son of Frank and Nancy Carchedi and brother to Jim and Tom. In 1990, John married Joy Perry and became stepfather to Kathryn, Karolyn and Turner.

A 1967 graduate of Lowellville High School, John played on his high school’s football team and in the Lowellville Softball League. John was a graduate of Youngstown State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology where he played intramural sports, was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and The Newman Club.

After his college graduation, John headed south to further his education and received a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University, moving on soon after to begin post graduate work at Auburn University. He accepted a position at George Corley Wallace Community College in Selma, Alabama where he was a professor of psychology until he retired. A longtime resident of Selma and Valley Grande, John made his mark at Wallace as an instructor who deeply cared about his students’ success and pushed them to achieve high standards.

John was a fierce competitor and, on a trip back to Ohio in the 80’s, he went on a seven-mile run with his brother, Jim, after which he was “hooked.” John continued running, even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and competed in hundreds of local and regional races over the years, progressing to running half marathons and marathons. He worked hard to meet his goal of running a marathon in all fifty U.S. states, completing marathons in 27 different states despite the limitations of Parkinson’s. John was also an accomplished tennis player and was famous for his distinctive “wind up” serve.

John loved seeing live music, visiting national and state parks, playing chess, poker, debating with friends, watching sports and traveling with his wife, Joy, to compete in marathons. Although he lived far from his native Ohio, he remained an ardent YSU and Ohio State Buckeyes fan. In 2005, he and Joy moved to Georgetown, Texas where they were able to see many musicians and bands perform live in Georgetown. He and Joy organized the Pick Up Your Feet For Parkinson’s race, raising money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

John was preceded in death by his parents and leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Joy, of more than thirty years, and three admiring children Kathryn (Doug Winter) Mayo, Karolyn (Lyndon) Jones, and Turner Mayo. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren MA 2 USN Hailee (Leo) Winter, Henry and Cameron Jones, treasured brothers Tom (Marie) Carchedi and Jim (Debi) Carchedi, sister-in-law Jeanine White and brother-in- law John (Angie) Perry, adoring nephews and nieces Tommy (Shannon) Carchedi, Jimmy (Angie) Carchedi, Andrew (Missy) Carchedi, Matthew (Melissa) Carchedi, Stephen (Sheena) Carchedi, Beth (Daniel) Appleby, Brittany Pacheco, Johnathon (Katie) White, Ashley (Ryan) Bakemeier, Kaylee Bearden, Steve (Abby) Moore, Jason (Jenn) Moore, along with many great nephews and nieces and wonderfully supportive friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woldenburg Village and Passages Hospice who provided loving and compassionate care. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research by visiting www.michaeljfox.org/donate.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville. Entombment will be at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Lowellville. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with the family.