Obituary of John Henry Chrisp

John Henry Chrisp’ s Story of Life

In Life, Brother John Henry Chrisp, age 73, followed the Masonic Philosophy that every man is responsible to make the world a better place while being devoted to his family, faith, country, and fraternity. On Wednesday February 20, 2019 he reached the highest calling of God, going home.

March 26, 1945 marks the sunrise of our Mother’s Husband and Our Father, Brother John Henry Chrisp. This was truly a blessed day for the late Rufus and Susie Chrisp, his parents, of Roxboro, North Carolina. A graduate of Person County High School, where he played on the Panthers Football Team. While attending high school, he was also a school bus driver, where he was paid $25.00 a month. His school bus, #27, picked-up and dropped-off the elementary and middle school students, before and after school. Before and after dropping off the last student, he worked on a dairy and a tobacco farm.  A testament to his lifelong work ethics.

Tired of working on the farms, he moved to Atlantic City, in 1964, where he met our mother, Carolyn Patricia Saxon. They were married June 3, 1967.  She is his “Boo” and they both referred to each other as “Smoke”. He spoiled her and gave her everything she wanted.

Although he left North Carolina in 1964, he never forgot his roots. He was devoted to his North Carolina family and always treasured his friends from Person County High School by attending annual reunions along with his wife. Daddy would talk about his classmates like they were still in high school.

Our father was a Jokester. He gave family and friends alike colorful and endearing nicknames.  Our fondest memory of our Father, are the daily text messages we received from him. He would ask us What are you doing? We would respond “working”. His response was “I’m retired” lol. Nothing will ever replace our morning Father-Daughter digital conversations.

Our father was a family man to the community. When we went for family outings and activities, he would invite the neighborhood children. Whether it was for ice-cream, horseback riding, bicycling on the AC boardwalk, etc. His favorite was driving and crashing Go-Carts.

On April 14, 1970, he joined the Masonic Prince Hall Lodge #27 of Atlantic City. As a mason, he held the chairs of Right Worshipful Brethren (R.W.)  of Prince Hall Grand Lodge Mason of the State of New Jersey; PAST Master (P.M.) of Prince Hall Lodge #27 of Atlantic City, and Past Worthy Patron (P.P.) Atlantic Chapter #3, Order of Eastern Stars of Atlantic City. He was a great mentor/role-model for the young men entering the Masons. “Worthy of Respect” he lived the masonic philosophy and it showed in his deeds and family life.

His masonry craft earned him the family nickname of “Mr. Fix it”. He fixed everything, because he was curiosity driven, and fearless when it came to technology. Our mother is the best judge of the quality of his craftmanship, because she always had a back-up plan. He loved to take pictures. His love of technology and photography is displayed on his four web profiles. He had a beautiful and bright smile. He would lite-up the room when he entered.

He was a giving person. When family and friends were in need he would provide. Because of his giving nature he is regarded as “the best brother-in-law ever”. The biggest beneficiaries of his giving were his grandchildren whom be dearly loved. His message to them is to get your education because once you have it, it can’t be taken away. Even during his illness, he would travel several hours to visit others hospitalized.

Brother John Henry Chrisp worked for the O’Connor’s Family, owners of the Dennis Hotel, Carillon, and Best Western properties.  These properties were sold to Bally’s Park Place. Brother John Henry Chrisp retired from Bally’s Park Place after 37 years. During the sixties, he worked as an Auxiliary Police Officer, in the summers. Brother John Henry Chrisp was a faithful member of the Church of St Katherine Drexel.

His parents, Rufus and Susie Chrisp, and his cousin, James Paylor, predeceased Brother John Henry Chrisp. He is survived by his Boo, Carolyn Patricia Chrisp; daughters, Marcie of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Johnnett Johnson and her husband Lawrence G. Johnson of Carney’s Point, New Jersey; son, Bryon Anderson of Atlantic City, New Jersey; brother, William Paylor and his wife, Michelle Paylor of Piscataway, New Jersey.

His In-Laws, Marcia Hazelton of West Covina, California, Brenda Dorris, Carmen Saxon, Harriett Purnell, and Kiongozi Lumumba and wife Rashidah Lumumba, all of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Diane Hunt and husband Edward Hunt of Bradenton, Florida.

He is the proud grandfather of five; Juan Morales of San Francisco, California, Jade Gambrell of Japan, Kwame Barrett of Charlotte, Joshua Barrett of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Lawrence Johnson Jr. of Tupelo, Mississippi.

Special longtime friends Illona Coleman “Hollywood”, Sindy Finkelson and husband Matthew Finkelson of Linwood, New Jersey, who was like a BIG brother who took care of her as a child and whom she loved very much!!

He is a loving uncle of a host of nieces and nephews.

Submitted with the greatest pride, love. And the highest praise to our father,

The Chrisp Family