John Ellis Poarch was born on December 6, 1935, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the youngest of nine children born to David and Inez Poarch, who journeyed to Oklahoma from Tennessee in horse-drawn wagons. Growing up on a farm near Crescent, Oklahoma, where his father was a sharecropper, John learned the value of hard work early. He told stories of driving a tractor at age seven and using it to pull cars from snow drifts after storms. On the farm, he milked the cows, collected eggs from the coop, and picked cotton by hand. He later worked in his brothers’ gas stations.

During World War II, the family relocated to California’s Bay Area, where his father and brothers who weren’t in military service worked in the shipyards. After the war, they returned to Crescent, where John completed high school, playing guard at 135 pounds on the football team and playing cornet in the band. He was a very accomplished cornet and trumpet player (and when in high sprits, he would serenade Anita during road trips).

Following high school, John joined the Army, training in Georgia, near Augusta, and in Texas, near El Paso. He was stationed in Japan during the Korean War, developing a deep respect for the Japanese people and culture. He learned enough Japanese to teach English classes to the locals.

After his military service, he used the GI Bill to attend Central State College (now The University of Central Oklahoma) in Edmond. He was the only one of his siblings to attend college and worked many jobs to support himself, one of which was as a painter. He famously won his fraternity’s Gold Brick Award after breaking his ankle in a fall off a ladder while painting a sorority house - an accident due to a moment of distraction. The Gold Brick was used as a door stop in the Poarch household for many years.

While attending Central State, he met Anita Maddox, a classmate in many of his courses. Persistent and determined, he eventually convinced her to go on a date. They dated through the remainder of college, frequently competing for the top grades in their classes.

John was accepted to the University of Oklahoma medical school, and he and Anita were married on October 19, 1960, a union that was to last for sixty-four years. While he attended school, Anita worked in biology labs to pay the rent on their tiny attic apartment. Their son, David, was born during this time. While John was crossing the stage during his medical school graduation ceremony, David stood up in his chair and proudly yelled, “That’s my dad!”.

John began his residency in psychiatry in San Francisco, where second son John Eric was born. The family returned to Oklahoma City after his residency, where John completed his training and entered private practice.

Dr. Poarch became one of the most highly respected psychiatrists in the city, counseling many influential individuals. He never took notes during sessions, storing all the information in his head - no wonder he had such a large cranium! He also offered his expertise pro bono to many local organizations.

Their daughter, Maria, was born after the family moved into a home on North Geraldine Avenue in Oklahoma City, where David and John Eric played in the huge yard and swam in the park pool across the street. Later, John and Anita built their first custom home on North St. Clair Avenue and discovered that Anita had a knack for designing and decorating houses. They lived near Lakeview Country Club, where the kids spent many summertime hours at the pool and attended D.D. Kirkland Elementary School. In 1976, they built an architecturally striking new home with a three-story wall of windows in Deer Creek and moved out to the “country”.

John became an avid tennis player, organizing leagues at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center, Summerfield, Oak Tree Country Club, and finally at his cherished friend Joe Sawyer’s court. He made many lifelong companions on the tennis circuit, playing until he was 87 years old. He and his retired tennis buddies would make regular trips to tennis camps and an annual voyage to Las Vegas.

John was a voracious reader, often reading at least two books at the same time. He was a huge fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, holding football season tickets for close to forty years and, later, faithfully watching softball. He became a devoted OKC Thunder fan too and especially liked to watch professional tennis. When his granddaughter Haley brought him a hat from Wimbledon, he proudly wore it to the U.S. Open in New York, telling everyone on the subway where it came from. As you might discern, he was a very friendly person and talked easily with strangers because he was so comfortable “in his own shoes.” He was not afraid to give his opinion when involved in group discussions, and his opinion was often highly regarded. Dr. Poarch also had a natural drive to teach everyone around him he desired for all to grow and develop emotionally and lead more fulfilling lives. He often used his professional strengths to help others in times of crisis. When friends or family lost someone close to them, he provided comfort through true empathy. When a boiler exploded at Star Spencer Elementary School in 1982, he cancelled his appointments and went to help the grieving parents. He took similar actions after the Oklahoma City Murrah Building bombing in 1995. He wrote two books to explain his views on mental illness and guide parents in raising strong, mature children. He served on the board of Peppers Ranch, near Guthrie, for many years, consulting frequently with the foster parents and staff.

John will be remembered as a man of integrity and honesty. He instilled these values in his children and grandchildren. He was highly intelligent, driving stimulating conversations around the family dinner table. His daily routine always included reading the Wall Street Journal, where his letters to the editor were frequently published, many having to do with how over-protective our politicians and society have become. His children feel fortunate to understand and strive to practice many of his theories and ideas.

It may be said that he died of natural causes on May 5th, 2025, but John was lost after the death of his beloved wife, Anita, in 2024. He is survived by his children: David Monroe Poarch (Carol), John Eric Poarch (Kelly), and Maria Langworthy (David); nine grandchildren: Peter, Haley, Kendra, Parker, Meade, Tanner, Zander, Georgia, and Addie; and two great-grandchildren: Blaire and Wallace.

John will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He set a great example for others by the love he shared with Anita and the love and service they both spread to all their family and friends.

A memorial service will be held for John and Anita in the Nigh University Center at the University of Central Oklahoma on June 28th at 2 p.m.

To honor Anita and John, please consider donations to Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community and The Stephenson Cancer Center.

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