John (Woj) Wojtowicz

JOHN DALE WOJTOWICZ (WOJ)

Cedar Rapids

John Dale Wojtowicz (Woj), 62, of Cedar Rapids, passed away early Saturday morning, Jan. 16, 2016. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, and a visitation for one hour before his services at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

John was born on Oct. 11, 1953, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Edward and Lenore (Fry) Wojtowicz. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1971 and from the University of Northern Iowa in 1976 with a B.S. degree in education and English. He began teaching in the Cedar Rapids Community School District in 1976. In his youth, he was active in the theater as a set and costume designer. For the majority of his career, he was an English teacher, PACT coordinator and academic decathlon coach at Jefferson High School.

For 23 years, Woj began, fostered and led the Jefferson Academic Decathlon Team to 16 state championships and three top-four placements at the national competition. He dedicated his life to pushing and inspiring students. Every student mattered to Woj. He could be poignant with his criticism, but generous with his encouragement.

John is survived by his brother, Joseph Wojtowicz of Hollister, Mo.; and by the innumerable friends, colleagues and students who considered him family.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Edward and Lenore.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be addressed to the Jefferson Academic Decathlon, 1243 20th St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404; money received will be divided between the Academic Decathlon Fund and a scholarship in John's name.

A celebration of John's life will take place at Leonardo's 2228 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23.

Please share a memory of John at www.murdoch

funeralhome.com under obituaries.