Obituary of John Edwin Endrizzi

John Edwin Endrizzi 92, of Tucson, AZ, peacefully passed away on August 30, 2015. Johnny is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Yvonne Barbot Endrizzi and their five children. Born in Wilburton, OK, the fifth of six children to the late Luigi and Maria Cristina (Carignano) Endrizzi. After serving two years in the Philippines as an Army Sergeant in WWII, he attended college on the G.I. Bill, earning a B.S. in Agronomy and a M.S. in Genetics at Texas A&M University. In 1955, he received his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Maryland. Johnny met and married Yvonne while studying in Maryland. Upon graduation, they returned to Texas A&M, where he accepted a position as an assistant professor and launched his 38 years of research on cotton genomes. In 1963, John accepted the position of professor, and Head of the Department of Plant Breeding at the University of Arizona. During his tenure, he wrote many articles on cytogenetics in referred scientific journals. Beloved by numerous doctoral students, Doc could be pulled away from his lab for a Friday afternoon baseball game. He retired from the Department of Plant Science in 1985, continuing his research as professor emeritus for eight more years. In retirement, he shared his love of nature as a docent at Sabino Canyon. He is survived by his wife and five children: Colette (Joe Cisterna), George (Charlene), Regina (Irene) Dick-Endrizzi, Carisa (Josh) Davis and Karena (Stephan Crow); grandchildren, Julian, Vincent (Stephanie), Jacob, Noah, Rachael and Bryce and great-grandson, Jacoby. John enjoyed traveling with his family, and hiking and fishing in the White Mountains of Arizona. Johnny maintained his daily walking routine will into his 80s. Mass celebrating his life will take place at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center, University of Arizona, on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's name to AHSC: P.O. Box 245018, Tucson, AZ 85724 with checks payable to UAF: Alzheimer's Research. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.