John Wade Abshire
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John Wade Abshire, known affectionately to his many friends as Coach, passed away
Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
A native of Goshen, Indiana, he graduated from Goshen High in 1952 and went to
Indiana University where he earned a degree from the Kelley School of Business in 1956. He
was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army following graduation. During his ROTC
time at IU, he was a member of the Scabbard and Blade, an honor he cherished through his adult
life.
Abshire Oil Company in Goshen was started by Coach's grandfather in 1915, and the
recently discharged Army captain took on the role of vice president. He continued his service to
others and began his passion for local politics as a county commissioner in Elkhart County from
1965-68. In 1973 he began to work for Gov. Otis Bowen as director of the Indiana Community
Executive Assistance Program and then moved to Indianapolis. Two years later he was tabbed by
the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to take charge of membership statewide, a perfect fit for his
outgoing personality.
They retired to Bloomington, Indiana, home of his beloved IU Hoosiers.
The name stuck and went with him from Indiana to South Carolina where Coach and
Patty moved to Aiken, where he met more best friends and made an impact on the community
and an adopted school - UofSC Aiken. The new city was a combination of the things that Coach
loved - a college to meet his desire to learn, horses that he had developed a love for in Goshen
and an eclectic population that allowed him to meet people from all walks of life. It was a perfect
fit.
Coach and Patty have given generously to the nursing program at UofSC Aiken where
the adult health simulation lab is named in their honor. They also donated the statue of a horse
named Spirit that stands in the fountain at the University's main entrance.
He may never have coached a game, but through his life he coached family, friends and
acquaintances in the way to lead a good, meaningful journey from birth to death.
In a life of giving to others, Coach was a member of numerous organizations. Among
them are Rotary, Beta chapter of Phi Kappa Psi at IU, the Indiana University Alumni Association
(Life Member), Hoosiers for Higher Ed, Toastmasters, the Indianapolis Columbia Club, the Elks
Club, the board of Woodburn Guild at IU, the Aiken Senior Men's Club and St. John's United
Methodist Church. He always liked getting to church early for the doughnuts and coffee - and to
talk to as many of his best friends as possible.
He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite. He proudly wore his
Scottish Rite ring and turned it halfway around when he wanted to remember something
important - and he always did. He was given the Sagamore of the Wabash, an honor presented
by the governor of Indiana for his service to the Hoosier State.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years Patty White Abshire; two daughters, Jill Mays
(Bill) of Syracuse, Indiana, Julie Thompson (Kirby) of Orlando, Florida, and a son, Jeffrey Wade
Abshire of Goshen, Indiana; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a brother, Bill
Abshire of Syracuse, Indiana, and his son and daughter, and an aunt Ardith Smoker Fuller of
Juno Beach, Florida. Predeceasing him were his parents and one grandson.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist
Church with Dr. Tim McClendon officiating. It will be livestreamed through the St. John's
Facebook page or the church's website stjaiken.org.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Rotary Club of Aiken.
Donations may be made to UofSC Aiken - Aiken Partnership for the Abshire School of
Nursing Endowment, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801; University Healthcare
Foundation, 2260 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, GA 30904 - Memo Line: John and Patty Abshire
Endowment, and St John's United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 809, Aiken, SC 29802
Coach's online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com