John Caldwell Bandy

ARLINGTON -- John Caldwell Bandy, 59, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2016, in Arlington. Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Lake Arlington Baptist Church, 2912 Little Rd., Arlington. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. John was born on May 14, 1957 in Greensboro, North Carolina to William Bell and Isabel McDougal Bandy. He grew up in Greensboro and graduated from Grimsley Senior High School. He was an outstanding athlete throughout school and won the GHS Award (Guts, Hustle and Speed) while in High School. He played collegiate football at VMI and NC State and later graduated from UNC-Greensboro with a BA in Psychology and an MS in Counseling. He met his cherished wife, Suzanne, and they married in 1994. They were blessed with two beautiful, miracle daughters, Christin and Jordan, who he adored with ALL of his being. John loved the Lord and was given a great gift for helping, teaching and encouraging others. He was a Counselor and a Pastor for most of his adult life, initially working for several Behavioral Health Hospitals in NC and Florida and then followed God's call to seminary in 2006. He earned his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012 and was Education Minister and Interim Senior Pastor at Stadium Drive Baptist Church while most recently working on a church plant, Country Fellowship of the Metroplex in Arlington, Texas. He and his family also worship at Lake Arlington Baptist Church. John was almost as passionate about NC State Football as he was about the Lord- he also loved a strong cup of coffee and the beach at any time of day. He lived to watch his girls perform, whether it was a gymnastics meet or a choir performance or lunch with Dad, he was ALWAYS there. His smile and his laughter were unforgettable. But, the greatest desire of his heart was to spread the Peace and Love of Christ – His big brown bible, now only bound together by duct tape was always by his side. Yes, he loved to preach the Word and he wanted to reach the world. Survivors: Wife of 22 years, Suzanne Bandy; daughters, Christin and Jordan Bandy; brother, Bill Bandy; sisters, Isabel Strong and Emma Mizell; Father and Mother in law, Ted and Ruth Gutch,brother and sister in-laws, Art and Lisa Gutch, Doug and Sherry Gutch and Brad and Marianne Gutch; and many nieces, nephews and cousins who are near and dear to his heart. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233