John Assunto III

Touchdown! John Assunto, III, made it to the Pearly Gates on January 4, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Born on April 14, 1948, to John and Kathleen Assunto, Johnny had a burning passion for all sports at a young age. The corner of School and Lake Street was known to all as the place to learn and play baseball, football, track and field, and basketball. Sports would be the theme of his entire life. At a young, tender age, Johnny began accompanying his Dad to every LSU football game, creating the tradition of the very loud “GEAUX TIGERS” and the famous fight song.

While living in Lake Charles, Johnny touched many lives by serving his community as a football coach to Little League and Oak Park Junior High. His personality was bigger than any room or football field.

Johnny was dedicated to the youth and sport of football, but he was an avid outdoorsman. He was always duck hunting, cleaning ducks, cooking ducks, calling ducks, cleaning his guns, fishing, frog gigging and deer hunting. Our neighbor and great friend Doc Snatic mentored him into the art of hunting. If you ever visited Johnny’s home, you experienced the real world of a hunter and gatherer with many mounts and trophies.

Following the entrepreneurial footsteps of his family, Johnny opened the Men’s Big and Tall clothing store in Longview. He and his wife made their home in Gladewater, creating lifelong friendships. Johnny was well known to the residents and volunteered his time and assets to charities, political service, campaigning, and supporting high school sports.

Johnny is survived by his wife Therese Lynn Vallow and three stepchildren, Daniel Deville (wife Joni), Daisy Waggoner (husband Shawn), and Anna Deville; brothers Richard Assunto (wife Susan); Victor Assunto; sisters Barbara Lee (husband Eric), and Carmen; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents John Assunto, Jr, Kathleen McBurney Assunto, and grandparents Hugh Bell McBurney, Ima Swann McBurney, John Assunto, Sr, and Lena Pecorino Assunto.

A Celebration of Life will be at Forest Park, The Woodlands Funeral Home (18000 I-45 S, The Woodlands TX 77384) at 2pm on January 18, 2025. We want to express our sincere appreciation to Oasis Hospice (shout outs to Asad, Susan, Kay, Judy, Hannah and Dr. Latthe), Mickey and Bobbie Jean Smith, Clyde and Tami Willoughby, Caryn and Travis Couch, and special mention to his niece and devoted personal nurse, Natalie Penner.