John VanTassel Obituary

VanTassel
JOHN "JOHNNY VAN" P VANTASSEL
March 13, 1954 April 1, 2021
John P. VanTassel of Colorado Springs was born March 13th, 1954 in Alamosa Colorado. John went on to be with the Lord on Thursday April 1st, 2021 in the presence of his family.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Leslie Hutchins-VanTassel, his former wife Patty Bontrager and their four sons Lucas, Jared (and his wife Mandy), Nelson and Christian, and two grandchildren Ayden and Avery. He is also survived by sisters Mary Ann Hutchison, Peggy Buffington (and husband Roland), his stepson Rob and Brigitte Hutchins (Ryan, Brittany, Colton), and stepdaughter Christine and Mike Chavez (Ryan, Kylie, Brayden).
John was preceded in death by his parents Doctor Francis and Katherine VanTassel, sister Betty Coyle and his stillborn daughter Bonnie.
After playing 4 years of basketball at Adams State College while earning a BA and later on a master's degree, John began his teaching career in Delta, CO and then retired after 33 years from Air Academy High school in Colorado Springs.
John touched the lives of thousands through teaching, coaching, and most recently through insurance education and sales in the senior market. But most importantly to him was inspiring people through his
unwavering faith. During his time as a teacher he taught history, health, and physical education to junior and senior high schoolers, and he created an outdoor education program in Colorado Springs. He also coached track, cross country, and most notably basketball, which he coached for 27 years. He
coached elementary age all the way
up to coaching a season at Mesa State College and everything in
between. He helped lead 4 teams to the state tournament and won a State championship with Air
Academy High School in 1989.
Everyone said he was the kind of coach every athlete needed. Many of his athletes went on to have extraordinarily successful careers including playing in the NBA.
He loved teaching, coaching, and raising his 4 boys. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, all outdoor
activities and being active in the church. He lived his entire life to serve his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and thoroughly loved helping people.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prostate Cancer Foundation Cure.PCF.org
A memorial for John will be held at New Life Church on Friday, April 9th @ 2pm.