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Remembering a Beloved Community Member: Honoring the Life and Legacy of John Ford Channing

 

John Ford Channing Obituary Born 9/21/1934 – Died 4/26/2023   Brenham, Texas – John Ford Channing, age 88, passed away on April 26, 2023, at Peach Creek Assisted Living in College Station, Texas. A Memorial service will be held at a later date in Brenham, Texas.  Rev. Troy Sykes will officiate.

John was born in Orange, Texas on September 21, 1934, to John Hamilton Channing and Moselle Miriam Johnson Channing. John graduated from Orange High School in 1952 and from Texas A&M University in 1956 with a BS degree in chemistry. He and Gail Louise Chinnock Channing married on June 3, 1956, and enjoyed more than 65 years of marriage. That union produced four sons – John Neil, Greg Alton, Kyle Edward, and Brad Alden. John served in the U.S. Army as 1st Lieutenant until honorably discharged. He was the consummate Texas Aggie! He loved being part of the 12th Man at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. John was a devoted Christian.  He and his wife Gail moved to Brenham in 2022 and were members of Brenham First Baptist Church. He was part of the Bill Glass Prison Ministry, and used his gift of evangelism for many years, including serving in the bus ministry. He was an ordained deacon for 45 years until the pandemic shut him down. He was also head of the Baptist Men, Gulf Coast Baptist Association, and helped build dorms at the Baptist Encampment at Palacios. John taught 6th-grade boys Sunday School for 10 consecutive years and also taught adult Sunday School classes at First Baptist Church of Alvin, Texas. Anyone who knew our Dad/Poppy knew he served God by serving others. John’s greatest work for Jesus was probably during Vacation Bible School (VBS), where he worked tirelessly for 30 consecutive years, seeing countless children come to Christ. John loved to fish. Jesus also taught him how to be a “fisher of men”, and he “went fishing” every day of his life. But, for the other fishing (for fish), he did well, having his faithful fishing guide dog, Leroy Brown, who loved to go with him. John would say “Tight Lines” to you fishermen, and “Gig ‘Em Aggies” to you Aggies! He has gone to see his Lord and Savior Jesus.

John is preceded in death by his parents; sister Beverly Evans; and brothers-in-law Burt Chinnock and Dick Chinnock. He is survived by his wife Gail; children John Neil Channing and wife Betty of Brenham, Texas; Greg Channing and wife Cathy of Westminster, Colorado; Kyle Channing of Friendswood, Texas; and Brad Channing of Beach City, Texas; grandchildren Matthew Channing and wife Christina of Sterling, Virginia; Jennifer Gregston and husband Brent of College Station, Texas; Brittany Velasco and husband Luis of Dacono, Colorado; Jessica Restivo and husband Andy of Hockley, Texas; Taylor Channing and wife Julie of Cypress, Texas; Kylie Channing and fiancé Dontae Rhone of Forney, Texas; Kenna Channing of Baytown, Texas; and Buck Channing of Baytown, Texas;  great-grandchildren Bailey Channing, Avery Channing, Harrison Restivo, Noah Gregston, Jonah Gregston, Rosalie Restivo, Ezra Gregston, Braylen Rhone, and Rowan Channing. He is also survived by his sister, Madge Luquette; cousin Cappy Ricks; as well as many other cousins, nieces, and nephews; and a vast number of friends who will miss him dearly.

Friday, 28 April 2023