<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<i>John Adam Schell Jr., </i><font size="2">the son of Marie Teresa Blanco Schell & John Adam Schell, was born at the Air Force Base in Laredo, TX, and grew up as an Air Force brat. In 1974, he graduated with honors from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, CA, and received a congressional appointment through Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas to attend West Point. While at the Academy, John served in Companies A-3 & C-2. </font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">John "The Kid" was a true friend and known to be an honest and easygoing Texan. Due to his laidback persona, John did not seek to attain the higher echelons of cadet rank; instead, he was content to remain a Snuffy on his way to becoming an officer in the U.S. Army and to further serve his country.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">During cow summer, John was stationed at Ft. Hood, TX, for Cadet Troop Leader Training and at Ft. Benning, GA, for Airborne School. John successfully completed both experiences and demonstrated that he was going to be a well-liked and respected leader.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">When John graduated in June 1978, his family was so proud of his accomplishment. There was an extra sparkle in his Dad’s and Mom’s eyes. His sisters were very impressed with the Academy and The Corps. Needless to say, John was ready to say goodbye to cadet gray and don the Army blue.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">Following graduation, John went to Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic at Ft. Bliss, TX, and subsequently he was assigned to the 11th ADA Group at Ft. Bliss, serving as a platoon leader and the battalion XO. In 1984, he was assigned to the 10th ADA Brigade in Germany, where he served as company XO and battalion S1. John returned to Ft. Bliss in 1986. He was assigned to the 7th ADA, but then resigned his commission. John enjoyed his time in the Army, but it was time for him to say goodbye to the Army blue and don the suit and tie.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">John’s first civilian job was a Patriot Missile System testing analyst for CAS in Huntsville, AL. After moving to Las Cruces, NM, John’s next and final job was a Patriot Missile System engineer for the White Sands Missile Range. Annette Kowalski was a coworker and found John to be a calm, caring, capable, and trustworthy man, who possessed a great sense of humor.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">John died on an autumn evening in Las Cruces. His body was cremated, and, with his family and friends in attendance, a memorial service was held in John’s honor. The honor guard folded the flag and presented it to John’s wife, Roberta, and his family. Let’s all remember that John was a good man who strove to be the best person he could be.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">Roberta knew John to be a kind, considerate, loving, and God-fearing man, who possessed great perspective. She lovingly referred to John as "My John Pooh Bear." She said he loved his stepchildren, as they adored him. John proved to be a positive influence on their lives. "The shaping of John’s character at West Point created an organized and trustworthy man dedicated to family and country." Roberta’s only regret was she could enjoy him for only such a short time. "The love of my life is gone, and I still feel him next to me."</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">John’s first wife, Lois, met John a few months after graduation and married him on Jul 1, 1979, though he only knew her for ten days prior to the engagement. To her, John was a considerate, loving, yet quiet man, who taught her the meaning of true love. "The world lost a damn good father, friend, son, brother, and veteran." Their son Matthew remembers his Dad as an affectionate, helpful, patient, selfless, and fun-loving father and grandfather. Matthew misses his father dearly and fondly looks back at his short time with his loving father.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">John’s sister Rita remembers John as a Superman, a caregiver, and the best big brother with whom a sister could ever have been blessed. As a child, she recalled painting John’s fingernails and his retaliatory tickling of her. Rita was so proud of John. "Father, Mother, and I knew my Johnny hung the moon." When John was in high school, he was Rita’s motorcycle chauffeur. "In honor of my sweet brother, I want to get a motorcycle, and every time I ride it, I'll remember my big brother Johnny and how much I loved and still love him." </font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">John is survived by his wife Roberta Ann Schell; sisters Frances R. Soper, Kathleen C. Spadachene, Corinne J. Morales and Rita M. Schell (LTC, retired); sons Jason W. Schell and Matthew A. Schell; and former wives Lois J. Farnsworth and Cindy Pelech.</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2">John was known by his USMA classmates to be a kind, helpful, humorous, and intelligent good man. He was a Rock—someone we could count on. West Point not only greatly influenced this honorable soul but also spread its steadying influence to everyone John touched. He implemented West Point’s teachings to show others how to live honorably. John’s great soul is sorely missed by family and friends. One day, in spirit, we each will be with John again. In honor of John’s memory:</font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2"><i>When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. </i></font><font size="2"><i>—</i></font><font size="2">Author Unknown </font></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" dir="LTR">
<font size="2"><i>—Family & Friends</i></font></p>