RACINE – John Barootian, 87, passed away on January 24, 2017 at Racine Commons. He was born on October 28, 1929 in Racine, Wisconsin to the late Haroutiun and Anna (Ovigian) Barootian. John graduated from Horlick High School in 1948. He Married his first wife, Donna Jean Pfeiffer in 1952 and together raised a family of four children. Before he enlisted in the Air Force he had a shoe repair shop in Racine. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War as a Staff Sargent from 1951-1955. He returned to Racine to work at Belle City Foundry from 1955-1958. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and graduated in 1962 with a BS in Education, Major in English and Minors in History and Journalism. In 1968 he earned an MS in Administration and Supervision. He taught English at Horlick High School from 1962-1988 and was head of the English Department from 1968-1988. He was instrumental in implementing Flexible Modular Scheduling from 1969-1984. A highly-respected educator, John inspired hundreds of students to fulfill their dreams through higher education. He retired from Horlick High School in 1988. In 1985 he married Eileen Larson. They spent many loving, happy years traveling together and spending winters in Mesa, Arizona. John enjoyed reading, golf, traveling, casino gambling and writing. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Eileen, his son Stephen of Racine, daughters, Janet of Bristol, WI and Karen of Madison, WI., grandson, Nicholas (Sarah) of Racine, granddaughter Maren, Duluth, MN, sister Mary Rzepecky, brothers Adam (Marion) and Arthur (Jennifer) and many nieces and nephews. Also, his very caring step-children Shelley (Ernie) Towery, and Denise Olson, her children, Jessica (Frank) DeRango and Samantha Olson and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna, his son, John Harry, his daughter-in-law, Dawn and brother-in-law Mike Rzepecky. John will be greatly missed by all the many lives he touched as husband, father, teacher, and writer. Funeral services for John will be held at St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 4605 Erie Street, on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Avedis Kalayjian officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Horlick Scholarship Fund, St. Mesrob Armenian Church or Seasons Hospice of West Allis, WI.