John Paul Champagne

John Paul Champagne, age 80, formerly of Texas, passed away Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at his home after a long illness. John was born in Concord, N.H., June 16, 1933, to Joseph Donat and Helen (Roi) Champagne. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. John attended Quinnipiac University in Conneticutt and the Culinary Institute of America. On Oct. 12, 1962, he married Barbara Robinson Webb in Houston, Texas. John retired from the Texas division of the American Automobile Association as director of marketing and sales after a 38-year career. He was a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nacogdoches, Texas, and Grace Reformed Church of Bella Vista, Ark. In Texas, he was an ordained chaplain in prison ministry. His deepest desire was to be a faithful servant of and witness for His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to share the good news of the Gospel. His life was a consistent witness of this in his family and to all who knew him. Preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Carole Anne Dato; one brother, Pete Champagne; and one sister, Louise Frost; John is survived by his wife, Barbara of the home; daughter, Elizabeth Gallagher (Clem), two sons, Stephen Champagne (Debbie) and Joseph Champagne (Sara), all of Texas; one brother, Tommy Champagne (Kim), two sisters, Helen Champagne, Ann Rice (Bill), all of New Hampshire; 12 beloved grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Services will be later in the fall in Dallas, with interment at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, with military honors. Online tributes to the family may be made at www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com. Arrangements are with Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home and Crematory of Rogers, Ark.