| Faszholz Played for the Best Team
By Gerald Perschbacher, LL.D. John E. "Jack" Faszholz was an amateur free agent pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, played on the St. Louis Cardinals' farm club team, and was known by the Rochester Red Wings. He went on to wear jersey Number 41 as a St. Louis Cardinal in 1953. Despite all this, his greatest "pitching" was for the Gospel of Christ Jesus. His 12-season career, mostly in the Minor Leagues, included starting pitcher in National League play against the New York Giants in the 1950s. He also won more games than any other pitcher in the franchise history of the Rochester Red Wings, gaining him a place in its Hall of Fame. But as good as baseball is, and as good as Jack was, there was something greater for him. Jack completed his seminary education at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. It was a dream fulfilled, stretching from his initial entry to the sem in 1947 to his completion in the spring of 1958. It was the string of opportunities in baseball that put seasonal pauses on his educational endeavors. But it did not put an end to them. After graduation and ordination, to coin a phrase from one of his favorite verses, Hebrews 12:1, Jack ran "with perserverance the race marked out for" him with a 20-year career as a teacher and coach at two Lutheran high schools (Lutheran Central and Lutheran South in St. Louis). He continued making that "pitch" at Trinity, a mission congregation in Troy, Missouri, where he was asked to return to preach at its wind-up 50th anniversary in 2014. From 1978 to his retirement as an educator in 1990, he taught and coached at Concordia College – Austin, Texas, specializing in health and physical education classes as well as theology courses. Retirement from teaching and coaching did not put an end to his sharing of the Gospel. He volunteered as pitching coach for the team at Belle High School, providing services as a substitute preacher, and also was active at Mt. Cavalry Lutheran Church, Belle, Missouri. His innings in congregations stretched from Hope Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri; Salem Lutheran Church, Affton, Missouri; and Hope Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas; plus St. Trinity, St. Louis, Missouri. Even Jack could not begin to estimate the number of lives he touched through his professional activities on the mound, in the classroom, at the pulpit, as a coach, as a faith leader, as a family man, and as a Christian running the bases with Christ. Students acclaimed him as a man of faith who saw positives in everyone. He taught youth how to go the long haul and encouraged others to befit mentally, physically, and spiritually – ready to run their own race. By his example he showed how to be ready for the seasons of life, bad innings included. He saw believers as winners with Christ in their hearts and lives.
"I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim 4:7 On March 25, 2017, John "Jack" Faszholz reached the big League upon his entry to heavenly glory 17 days shy of his 90th birthday. He is survived by wife Annette S. (nee Gaebler), brothers Eugene (Marian) and Thomas (Jean), sister Katherine (Rich) Rasmussen and sister-in-law Jean Faszholz and their families; and adult children John E. "Jef," Jr. (Mary); Kurt G. (Lorre); Julie (John) Bertarelli; Peter R.; Paula "Polly" (Paul) Gregali; and Sarah B. "Sally" Faszholz (Rick Stephens), 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 14 nieces and nephews, and 22 great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 27, at Salem Lutheran Church, 8343 Gravois Road, Affton, Missouri, 63123 (314-352-4454), with visitation from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (refreshments following service in the fellowship hall). Another memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at Mt. Cavalry Lutheran Church, 508 Taylor, Belle, Missouri 65013 (contact Rev. Roth at 573-576-1615). Finally, a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, at the Chapel on the Concordia University – Texas campus, 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, Texas 78726 (contact Christell Logan at 512-313-3000). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John E. Faszholz to the Lutheran High School Association of St. Louis, 5401 Lucas and Hunt Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63121-1503, and Concordia University – Texas, 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, Texas 78726. The Missouri District would like to inform that all pastors are invited to vest and wear red stoles. Pastors should arrive by 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 27 to process. |
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