John Joseph Necas, 53, passed away on 12/22/22 at his home in Douglas, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 19, 1969 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Robert and Judy Necas. He is preceded in death by his son Yeshua Elijah Necas, his father, Robert Necas, his sister, Donna Olson, his Godfather and uncle, Albert Necas, his aunt Mary Jean Necas and his grandparents, Albert and Frances Necas and Margaret and Herman Teiken. He is survived by his wife and partner of 36 years, Laura G. Necas and their beautiful children, Reese Danielle Necas (21), Cade Xander Necas (19) and Jace Joshua Necas (12). He is also survived by his mother Judy Necas and siblings Connie (Karl) Appell, Jeanne (Kevin) Myers, and Josh (Jennifer Necas), his aunt Sister Susan Necas, his nieces and nephews, Jenna (Mike) Carter, Amanda (Mitch) Schroeder, Joey Arellano, Matthew and Jason Appell, Kris and Hayley George and Aubrey Necas. His extended family also mourns his loss to include his mother and father in law, Armando and Norma Ortega, siblings in law, Hector (Ryan and Adam) Ortega, Norma (Neil) Durkes, Erika (Jason) Brown and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins on Laura's side who came to love him as their own.

John moved to Arizona from Rapid City, South Dakota at the age of 5 where he attended schools in Sierra Vista, Douglas and Elfrida. Throughout his life, he found great joy in Mexican cuisine and in making others laugh and laughing with others, often at his own expense. He was larger than life in body and in a spirit that was contagious to be around. To know John was to know he loved football, especially his Douglas Bulldogs and USC Trojans. In 1987, he earned a full athletic scholarship and moved to Los Angeles to start his collegiate football career as an offensive lineman for the University of Southern California where he had the great honor of being in two Rose Bowls. After USC, he went to Missouri to play football at Missouri Western State College where he earned an Associate's and a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. When he returned to Douglas in 1994, he began substitute teaching as he tested for the various law enforcement agencies and found that he loved teaching. He returned to school and earned his Bachelor's degree in Education and Master's Degree in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix. This began a 27 year career of teaching and coaching until his retirement in December 2021. Through his work as a coach and a teacher, he made long lasting relationships and friendships with teachers, coaches and former players and students who later became coaches alongside of him and/or colleagues as teachers.

Reese, Cade and Jace were the apples of his eye and the source of his pride and never ending, unconditional love. He was always so proud of them and their accomplishments and often said how lucky he was to have had the privilege of being their father.

John loved his friends and colleagues and his years as a teacher, head and assistant coach were the years he remembered fondly. He coached football, basketball, wrestling, and was a detention officer for the Cochise County Juvenile Detention Center, all while being a full- time teacher, husband, father, provider and sometimes student himself.

We will miss your smile, bear hugs with an "I love you" attached, quick wit and ability to make others laugh and feel loved. You brought life to the party and the party had life because of you. May God bless you and guide you as you begin your new journey with the ability to move freely and without pain again.

Rest in peace 79 Trojan. We will Fight On and rest assured that your family will continue to Bear Down.

Thank you to all our family, friends, Casa de la Paz Hospice staff, St. Luke's Parrish staff, Department of Child Safety staff and Douglas community members for your love, outpouring of prayers, support, food, hugs, and companionship throughout this difficult time for our family.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Brown/Page Mortuary. A mass of the resurrection will be held at St. Luke's Catholic Parrish in Douglas, AZ on 01/06/23 at 11:00 am with a rosary and eulogy prior to the mass at 10:00 am. His body will be laid to eternal rest at Calvary Cemetery in Douglas.

A celebration of life will be held immediately after the interment services conclude.