JOHN HENRY McTIER

Captain John Henry McTier USMC Retired and Detective Sergeant California Department of Insurance Fraud Retired

John Henry McTier was born August 30,1939 in Milstead Alabama. His family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio where he attended public school and graduated from Hughes High School, he immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he received his training at both Paris Island and Camp Lejune North Carolina. While at Camp Lejune he traveled to Washington D.C. for the weekends with fellow Marines and to Bob Rogers’ home, where he met the love of his life Delilah Rebecca Kelly, and the courtship began. John was later transferred to Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, Virgina where he married Delilah. Two children were added to this union, John Henry II & Donna Belita. In 1965, John moved his family to San Diego, California before serving in Vietnam. During the twenty-four years in the United States Marine Corps, John held Enlisted, Non-Commissioned Officer and Commissioned Officer ranks, and in 1980 retired with the rank of Captain. John embarked on a new career with the State of California in the Office of Education and Employment, later transferring into the State Police Department, undergoing training at the State Police Academy. John went on to become the Supervising Police Sargeant for the San Diego area. After the State Police Department was merged with the California Highway Patrol, John went to work with the California Department of Insurance Fraud, ascending to the rank of Detective Sargeant. Known for his integrity and his exemplary leadership, John was well liked and respected by his contemporaries, subordinates and superiors. 1980 -1981, During his enrollment at National University, John was recognized as student of the month while earning a Bachelor’s degree in General Business followed by a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Outside of his military and law enforcement service, John was truly a good and faithful servant of the Lord. In 1982, the McTier family united with Bayview Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Winters and later, Pastor Terry W. Brookes. John demonstrated his love of God and his passion for teaching the word of God. Finding great joy in serving under his pastors and with various ministries of the church. He was a Bible study teacher, vice-chairman and chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry, vice- chairman and chairman of the trustees. Along with Sonny Kennedy, John formed the Bayview Parking Lot Ministry. John enjoyed multiple hobbies including model building, operating remote-controlled gas-powered boats and airplanes, racquet ball, bicycling and listening to music. John was a fan of Wes Montgomery, and frequently listened to Burt Bacharach and Hal David songs, featuring Dionne Warwick. His favorite songs included Etta James’ rendition of “At Last”, and “Forever Mine” by the O’Jays. He was known to make a joyful noise breaking out in song with his interpretations of “My Soul is Anchored”, “I want Jesus to Walk With Me”, and “I Know I’ve Been Changed”. Words cannot begin to convey the magnitude of the protection and provision that John provided for his family and those that he loved. In exchange, he was very well respected and cherished by his family and all whose lives he impacted. Although always willing to help someone in need, John was a staunch believer in “teaching a man to fish”, showing him how to feed himself for days to come, rather than giving him a meal for one day. On November 4th, 2023, at 3:30pm,with his loving wife of seven and a half decades, comforted by friend and sister in Christ, Janice Polk, John was called to be with the Lord, taking his last earthly breaths. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, John is survived by his beloved wife Delilah, son John Henry II, daughter Donna Belita McTier - Spears, granddaughters Murjani McTier and her brother Adrian Mincey Green; grand-daughters Kaisha and Donnisha Spears, grandson Larry J. Spears, son in-law Larry Spears, daughter in-law Denise McTier, brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Rodgers, great grand-sons Ayden Spears and Kaelib McGuire; niece Glenda Humphrey, great niece Michelle Humphrey who affectionately referred to him as “Uncle June”, and great niece Shalisha Russell. Other nieces and nephews referred to him as “Uncle Mac”.Fellow Marines and co-workers called him “Mac”.

" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

~ 2 Timothy 4:7-8 

In lieu of flowers please donate to the McTier family scholarship fund

Donations may be sent to www.Bayviewbc.org
Go to the "Give" tab, select "Fund" select "Scholarship"

select Sub fund "McTier Family Scholarship".

The online link will be available through December 31, 2023.
or you may mail a check payable to Bayview Baptist Church,

6134 Pastor Timothy J Winters Street, San Diego , CA 92114.

Write "McTier family scholarship" in the memo section of the check.
 

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