John R. "Jack" Potter, Janesville, WI  (1928 - 2013)

January 19, 1928 - January 16, 2013
John "Jack" R. Potter, age 84, of Janesville, WI, died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center. He was born in Madison, WI, on Jan. 19, 1928, the son of the late George and Marie (Plate) Potter. John attended Madison East High School where he was an "All-State" football player. He continued his education at Central College in Stevens Point, WI, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree while playing four years of varsity football. On June 28, 1952, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Madison, John married Bonita Ann Babcock and together they had five children. He subsequently served in the US Air Force as a fighter pilot during the Korean War period until his honorable discharge.
Following his military service, John earned a Master's Degree in teaching and moved his family to Janesville. He was a highly regarded educator in the Public School system there. He also held several coaching positions, highlighted by serving as the head football coach at Janesville H.S. He enjoyed a full-benefits public education retirement beginning in 1985. John's favorite pastimes included family activities, piloting private airplanes, hunting, fishing and playing cards. John and his wife were also avid golfers, holding a membership at Riverside Golf Course for many years. He was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Wisconsin Education Assoc., Janesville Education Assoc., Janesville Retired Teachers and E.A.A.
John is survived by four children: Kathleen (David) Williams of Janesville, Linda (Mark) Hallett of Appleton, WI, Carol Burch of Appleton, and Dan (Vickie) Potter of Phoenix, AZ; ten grandchildren: Elizabeth, Theresa and Martin Burch, Marie (Matthew) Giambrone, Michael (Eun Joong Cho) Burch, John, Liz and Maddie Hallett, Ben and Marcie Potter; and two great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his son, James Potter, in 1978; and by his beloved wife, Bonnie, in 2006.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH with Fr. Randy Timmerman officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery with full Military Rites provided by Kienow Hilt Post #1621. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the WHITCOMB - LYNCH FUNERAL HOME and again on Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the CHURCH.
WHITCOMB - LYNCH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES
21 S. Austin Road, Janesville, WI (608) 752-2444 www.whitcomb-lynch.com