John Wayne Mercure, 80, of Chandler, Ariz., passed away with his family at his side, on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. He was born on Jan. 8, 1943, in Pueblo, Colo., to John Mercure and Julia Gould Mercure.

After spending his first years in Richmond, Calif., his family settled in Alamosa, Colo. He  attended  Alamosa High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics, especially basketball, swimming and diving.  He graduated with a teaching degree from Adams State College. He later obtained his master's degree in education administration from Western State College. 

Mr. Mercure was a beloved American and world history teacher at Alamosa Junior High School for many years and then served in administration at Alamosa Junior High School and Alamosa High School.
He felt his greatest calling was to be a teacher and he felt he had an important obligation to teach history from both sides, or from the perspective of each respective country.  He loved his teaching career, and he loved his students, staying in touch with many of them over the years.
His greatest love was reserved for his family.  He married Nancy Lou Widger from Monte Vista, Colo., in 1962 in Santa Fe, N.M. They welcomed daughters Terrie Lynn in 1963 and Brenda Kay in 1968.

As a family, they spent most summer weekends trout fishing near South Fork, Colo., at Big Meadows Reservoir with Nancy's parents, Leo and  Lucella. During the winter months, the family continued their beloved mountain pursuits. Wayne could often be found ice fishing with his father-in-law, always bringing home many trout. The family enjoyed many days sledding and snow skiing and staying at the family cabin in South Fork.

He had a great love for life and for learning and he was always a great source of wisdom to us, we will miss him greatly, every day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Barbara Mercure Gribbin, and his brother, Gilbert, his daughter, Brenda Mercure Corona, granddaughter, Jessica Corona, nephew, John Gribben and niece, Kathryn Gribben.
He is survived by his daughter Terrie Mercure Pizza (Bhrett), and granddaughter, Carmen Pizza of Marietta, Ga., Granddaughters Alicia Corona of Chandler, Ariz., Melissa Corona of Waco, Texas, and Andrea Corona, his devoted caregiver of many years.  He is also survived by six great-grandchildren and by his nephew Tom Gribben of Pueblo, Colo., niece, Janet Fischer of Colorado Springs, Colo., two lifelong friends Terry Gibbs and Mike Sloan of Alamosa.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held this Saturday, March 11, at 3 p.m., at Barah Ministries in Mesa, Ariz.