John Scardina

God Made Teachers God understood our thirst for knowledge, and our need to be led by someone wiser He needed a heart of compassion, of encouragement, and patience someone who would accept the challenge regardless of the opposition someone who could see potential and believed in the best in othersSo He made teachers. From a bookmark produced by Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools office. On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, John lost his long and courageous battle with cancer at The Carpenter House. On that day God received one of His best and hardest working teachers in heaven. John was born on December 27, 1937 at the family home on Highland Road to Joseph Lawrence and Conjia Mumphrey Scardina. John attended public schools in Baton Rouge beginning at Highland Elementary and graduating from Baton Rough High School in 1957. He received a BS and MS from LSU in Math Education and was certified in administration, principal, city and parish supervisor, supervisor of student teaching, guidance, math and science. After receipt of his BS degree John served in the US Army from 1962 to 1964 and in the Army Reserves until 1968. While in the US Army, he worked as a meteorologist at White Sands Missile Range. After an honorable discharge he began his teaching career and later earned his MS plus 30 while teaching in the classroom. He first taught at Redemptorist High School and later was employed with East Baton Rouge School Board. During those years with EBRP School System, he taught at Westdale Middle, Glenn Oaks HS, Tara HS and Scotlandville Magnet HS. He retired from EBRP in 1997. He then began a new career as a teacher and guidance counselor employed by the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge at St. Michaels HS formerly Bishop Sullivan. Later he was part of the Dunham School staff where he taught math at the McKay Center for several years. He loved working with small groups and helping students at Dunham. During his numerous years as a teacher and guidance counselor he assisted many students in achieving honors in high school and in college. He helped students apply for scholarships and gain admission to colleges and universities. These students went on to become doctors, lawyers, TV stars, entertainers and successful in various other professions. Many of these former students credited John with being one of the most influential people in their lives and their best teacher. While teaching in the engineering program at Scotlandville Magnet High School, he was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award. John was an active member of Knights of Columbus Council 8601 at St. Patrick Church, where he served as an officer in several different capacities and as past Grand Knight. He helped the Knights with fish fries on Fridays during Lent, served needy families at Thanksgiving and was a member of the team who cooked and provided meals to Jetson Juvenile Facility and LSU students. John is also a 4th Degree Knight and is a member of the Bishop Ott Assembly. While a member of St. Patricks Church, John was a money tabulator and a Eucharistic Minister for many years. Before his long battle and journey with cancer and treatment, he attended many retreats at Manresa Retreat Center in Convent. Visiting at Resthaven Funeral Home 11817 Jefferson Hwy. on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Rosary at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church 12424 Brogdon Lane at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012 conducted by Rev. Jerry Martin. Entombment in St. George Cemetery Mausoleum. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Beth Langley Scardina daughters, Misty Scardina Purdom and husband Michael Purdom, and Laura Camel Fontenot and husband Kent Fontenot son, Kevin Louis Camel and wife Angela King Camel his grandchildren, Cherie Nicole Primes, Joseph Kale Purdom, Carey Alexander Camel, Chloe Louise Camel, Derek Fontenot and Anne Marie Fontenot. He is also survived by his brothers, Raymond Scardina and wife Becky Scardina, and Donald Scardina sisters, Josephine Goad, Bonnie Jo Wade and husband David Wade brotherinlaw, Terry Langley and wife Donnell sistersinlaw Gloria Scardina and Sherry Scardina and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and by brothers Lawrence Scardina, and Kenneth Scardina, and sister Thelma Scardina Braud. He will be remembered for the countless acts of kindness that he performed during his lifetime and for the many hours where he volunteered to serve his parish church, the Knights of Columbus and others. He was a role model throughout his life and especially during his long journey with cancer. John was an achiever and exhibited this many times in his life. He worked his way through college and was able to achieve high honors as a teacher and mentor. His parents taught him the fundamentals of what hard work and determination can bring. He was inspired by his parents and older brothers that he had the ability to achieve and to be the best that was he could be. This is the exact thing that he showed to all his students and this is what has inspired them all these years. John was able to give others the courage to accept the challenge regardless of the opposition and to see the potential and to believe the best in others. He was above all a wonderful teacher who will be remembered by his family and many students. Thank you to all of the staff at The Carpenter House for the wonderful care given to John. Also, a special thank you to Jackie Moore and Diana Davis for the care they provided to John during his time of need.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Thursday, April 19, 2012
5pm8pm

Service

Rosary

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Thursday, April 19, 2012
7pm

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Patrick Catholic Church
12424 Brogdon Lane
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Friday, April 20, 2012
11am

Cemetery

St. George Cemetery
7808 St. George Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA  70809