John William Lemaster

John W. Lemaster, 93, of Amarillo, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016.

Services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Schooler Funeral Home’s Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia.  Pastor Chadd Lemaster, grandson, of New Life Baptist Church in Garnett, KS and Pastor Bo Williams of Trinity Fellowship North Campus will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Llano Cemetery with military honors provided by Volleys for Veterans.  Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.

Mr. Lemaster was born on March 23, 1923 to Tillman and Regina Lemaster in Melstrand, MI.  He married Ima Jean McMinn on June 12, 1944 in Northport, Michigan.  She preceded him in death on January 20, 2011 after more than 66 years of marriage.

Mr. Lemaster served in the United States Army Air Corp and had a distinguished career as a left waist gunner.  He served in Normandy and was awarded the EAME Ribbon with one Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.  He was also awarded the air medal with three oak clusters for his contributions to the success of bombing missions in Nazi Europe. He logged more than two hundred hours of combat flying against enemy targets.  In recognition of flying over 25, 000 miles, SSgt John W. Lemaster was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding achievement in aerial combat. He also was involved in what was considered an “act of God” rescue from the English Channel after his plane was heavily damaged and almost lost.

To say that John was strong and independent would be a gross understatement, it was very much “his way or the highway!” He was a confident man that could do virtually anything; in fact he built his own home.  He was a jack of all trades and a master of them as well.

He loved the outdoors, was an avid hunter and enjoyed reading a good book.  Although he had many things he loved in life, his one true passion was his family.  He was a loving husband, father and grandfather providing strength, comfort and guidance for them all.

The family will receive guests at the funeral home Tuesday, June 21, 2016 from 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, John Kenneth Lemaster; three sisters; and one brother.

Mr. Lemaster is survived by one daughter, Barbara Sandlin and husband Lindy of Amarillo; five sons, Bruce Lemaster, Mike Lemaster, Ted Lemaster and wife Sally, Gary Lemaster and wife Gayenell, and Matt Lemaster and wife Connie, all of Amarillo; two sisters, Bertha Oscar of Suttons Bay, Michigan and Rosie Pridemore of Traverse City, Michigan; two brothers, Jim Lemaster of Grove, OK, and Daniel Lemaster of Nebraska; fifteen grandchildren, thirty-five great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be made to Ussery Roan State Veterans Home, 1020 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, Texas 79124, (806) 322-8387 or Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ 85756, www.pimaair.org, (520) 574-0462.