Services for Johnny Dan Wartchow of Athens, TX are 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Criswell Funeral Home Chapel; Pastor Andy Taylor will officiate. Burial will follow at East Hill Cemetery.
Johnny Dan Wartchow was born October 31, 1959, in Lubbock, Texas, to Lyda Deveryl, and Lewis Wartchow.
He passed away August 15, 2024, in Tyler, Texas at the age of 64 years, 9 months, and 15 days.
John grew up on the racetrack. He travelled from track to track with his family as they raced horses all around the country. As soon as he was old enough to get his trainer’s license, he began operating his own stable and soon moved his tack to California, where he dominated on the fair circuit for many years. Winning multiple titles with Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Appaloosas. While amassing well over five hundred wins and earnings of over two million dollars.
When his father, hall of fame trainer Lewis’s health began to fail, John moved back to Oklahoma to help with his care. John continued to train and win races in Oklahoma for several years, and managed farms for Bill and Joyce Tackett in Collinsville, Joe and Sherry Merrick in Sayre, and recently for Russel Welch in Tyler, Texas.
John was preceded in death by his parents, and his grandparents, Bill and Opal Wartchow.
He is survived by his children, son, Curtis Wartchow and wife Stacie; daughter, Whitney Wartchow and husband Thomas Baker; grandchildren, Cole Wartchow, Emma Wartchow, Braxton Baker, and Bowyn Baker; sisters, Dana Williams, Raylene Celeya; brother, John Williams; and a host of nieces and nephews and countless friends.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
