June 20, 1939 – May 11, 2023
John passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 11. He was born in south St. Louis city to Mary Forrester Klein and Otto Joseph Klein. He had 4 siblings: Marianne, Robert, Thomas, and Jane (Cookie).
He married Janet Lee Devanney in 1964 and they celebrated their 59th year of marriage on April 25, 2023. They had 4 children: John David II, Melissa (Missy) Sheldon, Marci Lynne, and Daniel Patrick.
John was preceded in death by his son Danny, who passed away in 2003. He is survived by his wife Janet, his son John (Julie Condit), his daughter Missy (Robert Lusk), his daughter Marci (Christopher Grabon), and his 7 grandchildren: Molly, Johnny, and Emily Klein, Jack, Patrick, and Kaitlyn Lusk, and Danny Grabon.
John graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1957, and went on to earn a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from St. Louis University in 1961. At SLU, John was a member and Vice-President of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and the men’s soccer team. In 1959, John earned his first of two national championship rings as St. Louis University captured the first ever NCAA soccer title. They repeated the feat in 1960, and John was honored that year to serve as captain and earn All-America honors. Upon graduation, he continued to play the sport with the renowned Kutis Soccer Club. In 1971, he added another national championship to his resume as Kutis claimed the United States Amateur Cup. The sport and the St. Louis soccer community were always good to him. In return, John gave back to the game, coaching and growing the sport at Seven Holy Founders Parish in south St. Louis County. He led the efforts to start girls soccer at SHF, so that his niece and daughters would be able to play. His love for the game never diminished, and for the last 50 years, one could always expect to find John in the crowd at a local soccer match of any level, whether he knew anyone on the field or not. In 1991, John was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame.
Outside of soccer, John worked for 30 years at Anheuser-Busch in the supply chain management division. He was a proud parishioner of Seven Holy Founders Parish for over 50 years, attended mass regularly, loved visiting with his fellow parishioners, was a member of the Father’s Club and coached many different youth sports teams. As a long-time member of Waterloo Country Club, he enjoyed spending afternoons fishing and working on his golf game. He loved a pastry from Federhofer’s Bakery, a pizza from Biggie’s, a cold Budweiser on draught, and Janet’s home-cooking. He cherished opportunities to take his grandchildren to Grant’s Farm, the Magic House, the St. Louis Zoo, and Suson Park. He was always up to hit golf balls in the backyard, play a game of chess, or a hand of gin.
He had many names, Papa John, Grandpa John, Paup, Uncle John, Dad, John, Johnny, Otts, Mr. Klein, et al; whatever you called him, however you met him, once he met you, he would never forget you. He greeted everyone with his endearing smile and always had a corny joke to share. He was loved by many, will be dearly missed and will always be “our” guy!
On Tuesday, May 30th, John’s life will be celebrated with a memorial mass at 10:00 a.m. at Seven Holy Founders Church. Family will greet visitors at the church beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Janet and family,
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. Got to know John or “Otts” as we called him when we were classmates at St. Mary’s. Never played soccer with John but played a lot of baseball and fast pitch softball with him. Of course a few Budweisers were always enjoyed after the games.
John was liked by all and always greeted you with a smile. He and Janet were a great couple.
Sorry for your loss. John is probably in heaven trying to get a soccer game or card game together.
Gerry Everding
John is a St. Mary’s High School Alumnus, Class of 1957. On behalf of St. Mary’s faculty, staff, and students, both past and present, we extend our most heartfelt sympathy to John’s family and friends.
Also know that we share in your sorrow and grieve for your loss. Special mention and offerings of condolences to John’s classmates and to those students, who, at one time or another, were either upper classmates or under classmates of his {one of which was his brother Tom, Class of 1959} and who may have known him personally or “of him” as someone they passed in the hallways, or shared a table with at lunchtime or maybe even participated in some of the same extra-curricular activities as John did from the time he enrolled as a Freshman in September of 1953 until the time he graduated as a Senior in June of 1957.
Although John is gone from this life, his spirit has been and always will be here, on the Campus of St. Mary’s. And just as it was in his lifetime, ever since the day he enrolled and became a “Son of Mary”, daily prayers will continue to be said and daily masses will continue to be offered for him by the Brothers of Mary.
Danny Slay
Class of ‘67
Executive Member – Board of Directors
St. Mary’s High School Alumni Association
To the Klein family,
So sorry for your loss! Mr Klein was my best and favorite coach all-time! His passion for soccer was contagious, and the skills and strategy that he taught, I have applied to all sports and my life! I always enjoyed talking to him about our soccer and basketball antics! He gave me trouble about playing hockey, but it’s so similar to soccer in strategy, I think he would have loved to play it! He will be greatly missed, and I thank him for everything he taught me!
I was so fortunate to get to know John through John and Julie. He was a man who will never be easy to forget. I loved his get up and go. No matter where I would run into him, he always great me with a smile and a few laughs. He was a wonderful person and I am so glad we crossed paths. My sincere condolences to the Klein family. He is a huge act to follow. Love to you all.
John was met with a big smile up there I promise you that. Dad and Danny are chipping balls together again in backyard Heaven. So sorry for loss. Until we meet again.
All our love ❤️
Fromenton family
There are many fond memories of Uncle John along with Aunt Janet (and the Devanney’s), Johnny, Missy, Marci and Danny. Sharing a sip of the Klupp bucket at family gatherings on Montana Street, bitterly cold nights watching soccer under the lights in the late 50’s/early 60’s (thank goodness for hot chocolate), and hanging out on Afton Place. One of Uncle John’s lasting legacies is all of his grandkids (great fun watching via Facebook).
Deepest sympathy to John’s family.
I had the honor to play soccer with John on Kutis. He was an ongoing inspiration to me. He always had a kind word, generous smile, humor and one of the most talented and tough playing teammate I knew.
Wishing comfort and peace during this difficult time.