OBITUARIES - 11/16/17

Nov. 1, 2017

Pete F. Vargas

Pete Vargas, 76, of Prescott, AZ, died on Nov. 8.

Vargas was a long-time player and manager of the Kokopelli Scorpions, playing on the 65’s, 70’s and 75’s teams. During the most recent 2017 season, Vargas appeared in the LVSSA/SSUSA Southwest Championships, the Arizona Western State Championships, the Western National Championships, and the LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships with the Kokopelli Eye Institute Scorpions 75’s.

Vargas helped lead his Scorpions to a runner-up finish at the Southwest Championships in the Men’s 75 Platinum Division, which earned the team a Tournament of Champions (TOC) berth as the highest finishing 75 Major team.

Kokopelli also had a solid showing at the Western Nationals, finishing in third place.

John R. Johnson

John (JJ) Johnson, 84, of Commack, NY, died on Nov. 11.

Johnson was longtime member of the New York Statesmen in SSUSA. He most recently attended the 2017 Winter Nationals in Ft. Myers, FL with the Statesmen as the field manager, helping to lead the team to a second-place finish in the Men’s 80/85 Gold Division.

“John became involved with senior softball some 25 years ago, playing in local leagues and over the past 20 years with the New York Statesmen tournament team. which he managed the past two years,” said Dick Clarke, team manager of New York Statesmen.

“One of John's crowning achievements in tournament play was being a member of the New York Statesmen 65 Major team that won the ISSA World Championship in Manassas, Virginia, in August, 2001. The Statesmen beat Fairway Ford, 8-2, and John did not make an out the entire tournament, making the All-Tournament team.”

“John will be sorely missed by all those who knew him and played with him.”

Johnson had a long and distinguished career with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), retiring with the rank of Captain after 30 years of service.

Johnson is survived by his five children and 11 grandchildren.