John S. Klotz (Jack) passed away peacefully in the loving company of his children on May 22, 2020 at age 87. The seventh of nine children born to the late William and Sara Klotz, Jack was raised in the Sun Hill section of Chester. He attended Saint Robert’s elementary school where, in the first grade, he met his future wife of 50 years, the late Kathleen M. Callaghan. Jackand Kathleen remained life-long and devoted members of St. Robert’s (now St. Katherine Drexel) parish. A gifted athlete, Jackearned a scholarship to Pennsylvania Military Preparatory School where he earned 16 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. Jack went on to attend Pennsylvania Military College where he earned 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, and track & field. Jack and histeammates had a storied undefeated football season in 1954 and, in 1956, Jack received All-American honors.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted the big tackle from the little school in 1956. After completing the preseason, Jack’s pro-football career was put on hold while he served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. While serving in the Marines, Jack played on two undefeated teams with the San Diego Marines Football Team and served as military police. After his honorable discharge, Jack played for a year in the Canadian Football League before joining the New York Titans in the American Football League in 1960. Jack was named to the All-AFL Team in 1962 and was the starting offense lineman for the first New York Jets team in 1963. After a pre-season injury in 1964, Jack was traded to the Houston Oilers where he played for the 1964-65 season.
After retiring, Jack coached in the National Football League’s farm system as the head coach for the Atlantic City Senators and the offensive line coach for the Pottstown Firebirds. Jack also scouted for the New England Patriots and served as the president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NFL Retired Players Association.Jack has been inducted into the Widener University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Mid-Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame, the Delaware County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Jack shared his love of athletics with others through coaching. For 24 years, Jack was an as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Widener University,helping to coach two teams to the Division III Final Four. Jack also coached CYO track for Saint Robert’s (later Blessed Katherine Drexel) for 32 years. Jack was a fixture in CYO Track, hosting the meets and holding the starter pistol. Jack also taught in the Chester Upland School District from 1959 through 1966.
In 1990, Jack began a career that merged the tenants of his Catholic faith with his devotion to his hometown. As a Development Officer and Counselor for CityTeam Ministries in Chester, Jack helped build and manage a shelter for the homeless and indigent and establish a meal program that provided hot, nutritious meals to those in need. Jack also worked closely with the men in CityTeam’s Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. In addition to his work at CityTeam, Jack counseled inmates at theState Correctional Institution at Chester, mentored the children of migrant farmer workers as part of the NFL’s Goals for Youth initiative, and served his parish as a Eucharistic Minister.
Jack’s humanitarian work has been recognized by numerous organizations. Jack was awarded the NAACP’s Ann Miller Freedom Award, the Delaware County Humanitarian Award, the YWCA of Chester Annual Award, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award , the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Father Daly Award for 25 years of service, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Catholic Youth Sports, among many others. Jack was honored to serve as a Marshall for the 1997 visit of Saint Pope John Paul II to Philadelphia, and as a bodyguard for Senator Robert F. Kennedy during a 1969 campaign stop in Springfield and for Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta during her 1995 visit to Chester.
In the last few years of his life, Jack enjoyed the companionship of his community at Plush Mills Senior Living. He was often called upon to give an invocation at events and lead services for his fellow veterans. Jack was well-known for his singing and would happily lend his voice to the guest singers who entertained the residents. Jack also derived tremendous joy from his children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly.
Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife Kathleen and is survived by his three children, John S. Klotz, Jr. (Pam), Mary Catherine Lain (Kenneth), and Karen Campbell (Philip), his eight grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews. A public celebration of Jack’s life will be planned in the future. Contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to the following charities and organizations: Anna’s Place 226 Norris Street, Chester, PA19013; St. Katharine Drexel Food Pantry, c/o Ed Larkin, 1920 Providence Avenue, Chester, PA 19013-5695. You can learn more about these designated charities at the following websites: https://annasplace.org/ and https://stkatharinedrexelpantry.org/.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted the big tackle from the little school in 1956. After completing the preseason, Jack’s pro-football career was put on hold while he served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. While serving in the Marines, Jack played on two undefeated teams with the San Diego Marines Football Team and served as military police. After his honorable discharge, Jack played for a year in the Canadian Football League before joining the New York Titans in the American Football League in 1960. Jack was named to the All-AFL Team in 1962 and was the starting offense lineman for the first New York Jets team in 1963. After a pre-season injury in 1964, Jack was traded to the Houston Oilers where he played for the 1964-65 season.
After retiring, Jack coached in the National Football League’s farm system as the head coach for the Atlantic City Senators and the offensive line coach for the Pottstown Firebirds. Jack also scouted for the New England Patriots and served as the president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NFL Retired Players Association.Jack has been inducted into the Widener University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Mid-Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame, the Delaware County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Jack shared his love of athletics with others through coaching. For 24 years, Jack was an as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Widener University,helping to coach two teams to the Division III Final Four. Jack also coached CYO track for Saint Robert’s (later Blessed Katherine Drexel) for 32 years. Jack was a fixture in CYO Track, hosting the meets and holding the starter pistol. Jack also taught in the Chester Upland School District from 1959 through 1966.
In 1990, Jack began a career that merged the tenants of his Catholic faith with his devotion to his hometown. As a Development Officer and Counselor for CityTeam Ministries in Chester, Jack helped build and manage a shelter for the homeless and indigent and establish a meal program that provided hot, nutritious meals to those in need. Jack also worked closely with the men in CityTeam’s Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. In addition to his work at CityTeam, Jack counseled inmates at theState Correctional Institution at Chester, mentored the children of migrant farmer workers as part of the NFL’s Goals for Youth initiative, and served his parish as a Eucharistic Minister.
Jack’s humanitarian work has been recognized by numerous organizations. Jack was awarded the NAACP’s Ann Miller Freedom Award, the Delaware County Humanitarian Award, the YWCA of Chester Annual Award, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award , the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Father Daly Award for 25 years of service, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Catholic Youth Sports, among many others. Jack was honored to serve as a Marshall for the 1997 visit of Saint Pope John Paul II to Philadelphia, and as a bodyguard for Senator Robert F. Kennedy during a 1969 campaign stop in Springfield and for Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta during her 1995 visit to Chester.
In the last few years of his life, Jack enjoyed the companionship of his community at Plush Mills Senior Living. He was often called upon to give an invocation at events and lead services for his fellow veterans. Jack was well-known for his singing and would happily lend his voice to the guest singers who entertained the residents. Jack also derived tremendous joy from his children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly.
Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife Kathleen and is survived by his three children, John S. Klotz, Jr. (Pam), Mary Catherine Lain (Kenneth), and Karen Campbell (Philip), his eight grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews. A public celebration of Jack’s life will be planned in the future. Contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to the following charities and organizations: Anna’s Place 226 Norris Street, Chester, PA19013; St. Katharine Drexel Food Pantry, c/o Ed Larkin, 1920 Providence Avenue, Chester, PA 19013-5695. You can learn more about these designated charities at the following websites: https://annasplace.org/ and https://stkatharinedrexelpantry.org/.