Body
John Semerad, III 1966 ~ 2020 John Semerad, III, aka “Johnny” or “Buddy”, age 53, passed away peacefully December 8, 2020 at Oklahoma University Hospital due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was born with autism and mental handicap due to oxygen deprivation at birth to parents John and LaDonna Semerad in McKees Rocks, PA. Johnny grew up in Champaign, Illinois spending summers riding his bike, hanging out with his best friend Michael Scantlebury, and swimming at the nearby public swimming pool. John won many track and field, basketball and bowling awards throughout the many years he participated in the Special Olympics. His greatest goals in life were to have lots of friends, a girlfriend, job, learn to read, write and drive a car. He graduated from Chaffey High School in Ontario, California in 1989, alongside his high school sweetheart and future wife Wendy Beth Duvall. With the overwhelming support of their families, John and Wendy were married in the beautiful Riviera Royale Chapel, Las Vegas that same year. At 14 years old Johnny became a working man, weighing and bagging spices at his first job at a local spice factory. He went on to have many jobs throughout his lifetime, among those were washing cars, bussing tables, sorting at recycling facilities and worked as a restaurant kitchen helper. Johnny loved the privilege of going to work! In his 40’s he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy on the left side of his body and Parkinson’s Disease. John never met a stranger he didn’t like and continued to enjoy bowling, fishing and riding his bike until the progression of his Parkinson’s and Cerebral Palsy prohibited these activities.
