John Lochridge Obituary

John Milton Lochridge died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. He was 88 years old. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mary Haney Lochridge; his three step-children, Bruce Cameron of Colorado Springs, Christine Carter of Lake City, Michael Cameron of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother Frank Lochridge and his wife Shirley of Lakeside, MT. John was born on October 24, 1920, in Springfield, Illinois, to the Reverend and Mrs. Frank E. Lochridge. He spent his boyhood in Huron and then Mitchell, South Dakota. He attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, graduating in 1947 after also serving in World War II as a First Lieutenant and navigator in the Air Transport Command of the Army Air Corps. John's career as a church business administrator brought him to Colorado Springs, his wife's home, until his retirement from First Presbyterian Church in January of 1987. He also served at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City and at the First United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas. He was a member of the National Association of Church Business Administrators and was their president in 1973-74. In 1986 he received their highest honor, the Saucito Award for leadership and dedication to the community and the church. Music was an important part of John's life. A talented tenor, he won a national solo competition while still in high school. He was a fixture in the church choir and was often asked to perform for private events. John enjoyed golf and played with Mary or friends several times a week. He and Mary also traveled extensively in the United States and abroad. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, June 30, at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Cheyenne Village, or a charity of choice.