John Edwin Mabry Sr.

John was born in Salado, TX to James F. and Hattie A. (Adamick) Mabry. He was the second oldest of 4 children. He graduated from Killeen High School in 1953, attended Temple Junior College and one year at the University of Texas in Austin before joining the US Marine Corps. After boot camp, John was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro near Irvine, CA where he learned to work on jets, specifically F-8 Crusader, and prepared pilots to fly. After serving for several years, he did a short stint in the Naval Reserves. John came back home after being honorably discharged from the military to help his mother Hattie, run the family store in Killeen called “One Stop Foods”.

After several years of helping his mother run the store, he met his true love, Erika. After dating awhile, they were married at the First Baptist Church in downtown Killeen. They had two children of their own to add to their blended family, a daughter and a son. The family was able to run the store, and Hattie was able to retire after several years.

Before John left to serve his country, he joined the Killeen Masonic Lodge. This was a lifelong endeavor and was an important part of his life. He went to his meetings faithfully, took part in the meetings and held many, many positions from Sergeant-at-Arms to Worshipful Master more than once. He became a member of several area lodges such as: Florence, Temple, and Mahomet to name a few. He was dedicated to the Masons and his Masonic Brothers. He has achieved many awards and achievements, all of which made him proud.

John is preceded in death by his wife Erika, his brothers; James F. Mabry, III, David L. Mabry, and only sister, Billie A. (Mabry) Long. Father, James F. Mabry, Sr, and mother, Hattie A. (Adamick) Mabry, stepson Marion E. (Wally) Wallace, son-in-law Morris G. Cantwell, and grandson Charlie E. Cantwell.

John is survived by stepdaughters Maxine M. (Wallace) Cantwell of Burleson, TX, Monika E. Wallace (Spouse: Dannny Hlavarty ) of Lubbock, TX, Jean E. (Mabry) Cox (Spouse: Michael ) of Killeen, TX, and John E. Mabry, Jr (Spouse: Mary) of San Antonio, TX. Grandchildren: Vernon John Cantwell of Burleson, TX, Robert D. Cox of Bremerton, WA, and one great-grandson, Tyler J. Cantwell of Burleson, TX.