Surrounded by his family, John Paul McLemore, 75, of League City, TX took his last breath on earth and opened his eyes in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 4, 2025.

John was born on June 27, 1950 to Alton and Dolly McLemore in El Dorado, Arkansas. He and his siblings grew up in a loving home where they learned to love the Lord and their family deeply. He attended and was baptized at Marrable Hill Baptist Church. John loved to tell stories from his childhood growing up on Julia St.

John graduated from El Dorado High School in 1968. After graduation, he briefly attended Henderson State University before following his parents to Texas City, TX. There, he became employed at Amoco Oil Company. While working in the maintenance department of the refinery he found his passion as a firefighter in the Amoco Volunteer Fire Department. This passion would quickly become his life’s work. , In December 1984, after serving as a fireman for 10 years, John was named Fire Chief of the Amoco Oil Volunteer Fire Department, which later became the BP Volunteer Fire Department. He led the men and women of his department with respect and a high standard of excellence. More importantly, he cared deeply about each of them and the feeling was always mutual. He retired in July 2009 after 25 years as Chief.

Aside from his faith, there was nothing more important in John’s life than his family. John married the love of his life, Karen Odom on August 2, 1974. They began their married life in LaMarque, Texas. Their 51 year marriage was rooted in deep friendship and unwavering love that was guided by their faith. John and Karen welcomed their daughter, Heather Anne, in February 1976 and their son, John Paul Jr. in April 1978. John and Karen raised their children in a close and loving home. They spent summers with their Arkansas family at Lake Chicot and Lake Degray and as a family on yearly camping trips to New Braunfels. John loved supporting his kids in all of their activities as they grew, especially those years in the 90s as LaMarque Cougars.

He received the favorite title of his life, Papaw, in May 2010. He and Karen were blessed to have the opportunity to provide daily childcare for each of their grandchildren as infants and found such joy in experiencing those early milestones firsthand. His family has always enjoyed living within minutes of each other. They loved their annual family vacations and regular family dinners together. As the grandkids have grown and become involved in a variety of activities, you could always find Papaw and Nana in the bleachers, on the sidelines, and in the auditoriums. There has never been an event where they were not present cheering their babies on.

John spent retirement traveling with Karen and their close friends Brad and Debbie and Harold and Barbara on numerous trips and camping adventures. He also enjoyed golf games and serving as marshall at Bayou Golf Course.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Dolly McLemore, his mother-in-law Helen Odom, sister-in-law Gwen Odom, and brother-in-law Joe Whatley.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Karen McLemore. His daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Brian Janish. His son and daughter-in-law Paul and Amy McLemore. His favorite people in the world, his grandchildren, Kaydence Clara, Sarah Ryleigh, John Daniel, and Mason Dale, all of League City, Texas. His father-in-law, Dale Odom of Norphlet, Arkansas, his sister Cathy Whatley, his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Carol McLemore all of ElDorado, Arkansas, his sister-in-law Diane Marks of Norphlet, Arkansas, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Darrel and Debbie Odom of Little Rock, Arkansas. John is also survived by his precious nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and numerous friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 Main Street, League City, Texas 77573. The family will receive visitors beginning at 2:00pm followed by a service at 3:00pm. There will be more time for visitation following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of John’s life to the charitable
organization of your choice.