Born and raised in Youngstown, John completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Youngstown State University. During his studies, he spent a semester as an international student at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

John was an avid reader who credited frequent trips with his father to the neighborhood library as igniting his lifelong passion for literature. In 1989, he earned a Ph.D. at New Mexico State University.

He served as a staff sergeant in the Air Force for several years, including a tour in Vietnam, before settling in El Paso, Texas, in 1978. In 1980, he met a young horseback riding instructor, Karin Cassidy, at Fort Bliss Saddle Club, and they married in 1981. Together, they established Rainbow’s End Farm in Clint, Texas. He and his wife recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

He enjoyed a varied career that ranged from professional management positions in construction companies to nonprofit and community health care program management; however, his most fulfilling and rewarding position was that of a faculty member in the English Department at El Paso Community College. He was passionate about teaching, and he loved working with and developing the minds of inquisitive and curious young people. He retired from El Paso Community College as a professor in 2019.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Bartos Lencyk.

He is survived by his wife, Karin Cassidy Lencyk; his brother, Lawrence Lencyk; and his sister, Sonia Lencyk Duffy.

His family will observe private final services at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to I’m Almost Home Animal Rescue (www.imalmosthome.org or 140 Whittington Place, Anthony, NM 88021. Please specify John Lencyk on the donation).

(special notice)

John Alan Lencyk 1947-2021

CLINT, Texas — John Alan Lencyk, 74, passed away in the early morning hours Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Born and raised in Youngstown, John completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Youngstown State University. During his studies, he spent a semester as an international student at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

John was an avid reader who credited frequent trips with his father to the neighborhood library as igniting his lifelong passion for literature. In 1989, he earned a Ph.D. at New Mexico State University.

He served as a staff sergeant in the Air Force for several years, including a tour in Vietnam, before settling in El Paso, Texas, in 1978. In 1980, he met a young horseback riding instructor, Karin Cassidy, at Fort Bliss Saddle Club, and they married in 1981. Together, they established Rainbow’s End Farm in Clint, Texas. He and his wife recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

He enjoyed a varied career that ranged from professional management positions in construction companies to nonprofit and community health care program management; however, his most fulfilling and rewarding position was that of a faculty member in the English Department at El Paso Community College. He was passionate about teaching, and he loved working with and developing the minds of inquisitive and curious young people. He retired from El Paso Community College as a professor in 2019.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Bartos Lencyk.

He is survived by his wife, Karin Cassidy Lencyk; his brother, Lawrence Lencyk; and his sister, Sonia Lencyk Duffy.

His family will observe private final services at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to I’m Almost Home Animal Rescue (www.imalmosthome.org or 140 Whittington Place, Anthony, NM 88021. Please specify John Lencyk on the donation).

(special notice)