John Paul Jasbring's Obituary
John Paul Jasbring was born September 12, 1956 in Dallas, TX and passed away September 26, 2014 in Garland, TX. He is preceded in death by his mother, Alleyne Krupicka, and his father, Harold Jasbring. John is survived by his wife of 36 wonderful years, Nela Jasbring; three children, Melissa Jasbring, Lindsey Baines, and Richard Jasbring; son-in-law, Andrew Baines; and two grandsons, Elijah Baines and Liam Baines. John was a loving husband, affectionate father, dedicated grandfather, and devoted friend. He will be missed and remembered every day. John was dedicated to helping others even from a young age. After the death of his own father when John was only 11, he started helping his mother support their family by selling slices of pie to construction workers, throwing a paper route from his bicycle, and selling ice cream cones at the circus. John worked first to support his mother and sister and later to build a better life for his wife and three children, holding down as many as three jobs at once including mowing yards and even playing Santa Claus at the mall in addition to working at the Dallas Morning News. One Christmas when their youngest, Richard, was only about 5 years old, the family visited John as Santa at the mall. Richard knew and loved his father well, however, and remarked to his family that “that Santa sounds just like John Paul Jasbring!” Despite his demanding work schedule, John made time for his wife and children, letting his daughters cover his hair in brightly colored barrettes in the living room floor, filling endless numbers of blow-up pools in the backyard, coaching the T-ball team, attending soccer games, volunteering to chaperone school field trips, and making up songs about Fred Cornbread and guacamole to make them laugh. As their kids grew up, John made the courageous decision to go back to school and get his degree in Electronics, demonstrating for his children the importance of higher education and that nothing is impossible through commitment and determination. John worked several years in that field, continuing to work for the Dallas Morning News at night before becoming a Contractor in a management position for the paper full time. John undoubtedly instilled a strong work ethic in his children over the years. As his kids grew up and went off to college, John began to discover the joys of leisure activities. Over the last 10 years, John and Nela travelled to destinations both domestic and international, soaking up the sun, swimming in the ocean, and sampling exotic foods. John read mysteries and thrillers incessantly, discovered the fun of winning at the Blackjack tables in Shreveport and Las Vegas, experienced the thrill of zip-lining in Hawaii, and was even planning to learn to scuba dive. The birth of his two grandsons, Elijah and Liam, brought all new joys into his life over the last 5 years. John was smitten with them from the first moment and could frequently be found having “dance parties” with them in the living room while the radio blasted, giving piggy-back rides on the floor, playing chase around the coffee table, taking them to the park to hunt for rocks, and pushing them on the swings. His face lit up whenever they insisted that someone call “Paw-paw” on the phone or that he be the one to hold their hand or read their bedtime stories. John was constantly seeking ways to spend more time with his entire family and was 1 month away from retiring after working for 47 continuous years. John was a special man who loved fiercely and unconditionally. At the age of 19, he told his mother that he was going to marry his future wife after only their first date. About a year later, John and Nela were married and have been madly in love for the last 36 years. Their marriage was full of love notes, flowers on birthdays and anniversaries, sappy cards left on the kitchen table, planned date nights, and holding hands through thick and thin. We will forever remember him with a smile on his face, cruising in his truck with the windows down and the radio cranked up, and playing air guitar to classic rock oldies. The memorial service for John will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 in the Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kevin Townsend, the other victim currently recovering from being struck by the same drunk driver: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/m9y5/kevin-and-jessika-townsend-recovery-from-being-struck-by-a-drink-driver. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75238.
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