John Edward DeBrosse, of Huber Heights, Ohio, passed away Thursday morning Sept. 26. 2013, in the presence of his wife and three children. John was born November 11, 1945 in Piqua, Ohio, to the late Jean and John Paul DeBrosse. He graduated from Piqua Catholic High School where he earned twelve varsity letters in basketball, baseball and football playing in 175 consecutive varsity athletic contests. At PCHS, he played on nearly a dozen tournament teams, culminating in captaining the team to the 1964 Ohio state basketball finals. John’s athletic career continued at the Citadel Military College in Charleston, SC, in 1965 where he played both basketball and baseball as a freshman. John played basketball all four years while attending The Citadel, leading the team in scoring as a junior. His athletic honors included All South Carolina, Honorable Mention All-Southern Conference, and the Tampa Invitational All-Tournament team. John continued his military service at West Point prep school where he coached the basketball team in 1971 to only their second winning season in the school’s history. John’s coaching career continued at Bishop Watterson HS in Columbus, Ohio; Fairborn Baker HS in Fairborn, Ohio; Miami University freshman team Oxford, Ohio. John enjoyed over 30 years in education as a secondary school administrator for the Huber Heights City Schools. While serving his community, he created the education program called Renaissance. This program rewards excellence in education by the students in Huber Heights and would later be adopted district-wide. The John DeBrosse Renaissance Award is given annually to students at Studebaker Middle School in Huber Heights. John served three terms on the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Control where he would help regulate and administer Ohio high school interscholastic athletic competition. He is survived by his wife of forty-three years Pam DeBrosse; son J.J. DeBrosse (wife Emily, Wilson and Riley) of Indianapolis, IN; daughter Katie Hart (husband Josh, Liam and Ava) of Beavercreek, OH; son Scott DeBrosse (fiancé April) of Huber Heights, OH. Two brothers and sisters-in-law: Patrick and Susan DeBrosse, Piqua, OH, Dennis and Diane DeBrosse, Piqua, OH, two sisters and brothers-in-law: Martha and John Selle, Piqua, OH, Shirley and Donald Kuchta, Piqua, OH. John was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew Francis Kuchta, and granddaughter Catherine DeBrosse. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 1 from 3pm to 8pm at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, 646 West High St. Piqua, Ohio. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30am at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6161 Chambersburg Rd. Huber Heights, Ohio. Graveside service will be at 3pm at Forest Hill Cemetery, 8660 State Route 66 in Piqua, Ohio. Full military honors will be provided by The Veterans Elite Tribute Squad. Memorial contributions may be made to the John DeBrosse Renaissance Scholarship Fund (c/o Scott DeBrosse, 8869 Trowbridge Way, Huber Heights, OH 45424) or the Catherine Sabrina DeBrosse Scholarship (Butler University, 4600 Sunset Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46208). Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.melcher-sowers.com. Tags: 1968
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