Funeral Services Set Wednesday For Longtime Horseman Johnny Dan Wartchow

ADA, OK–AUGUST 17, 2024–Funeral services are set for Wednesday in Ada, Oklahoma for longtime horseman Johnny Dan Wartchow, 64. He passed away on August 15, 2024, in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 64 years, nine months, and 15 days.

Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. (CDT) at the Criswell Funeral Home in Ada, Oklahoma.

Johnny Dan Wartchow was born October 31, 1959, in Lubbock, Texas, to Lyda Deveryl and Lewis Wartchow.

John grew up on the racetrack. He traveled from track to track with his family as they raced horses throughout the country.

As soon as he was old enough to get his trainer’s license, he began operating his own stable and soon moved his tack to California, where he dominated on the fair circuit for many years—winning multiple titles with Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, and Appaloosas while amassing well over five hundred wins and over two million dollars in earnings.

When his father, hall-of-fame trainer Lewis Wartchow's health began to fail, John moved back to Oklahoma to help with his care.

John continued to train and win races in Oklahoma for several years and managed farms for Bill and Joyce Tackett in Collinsville, Joe and Sherry Merrick in Sayre, and recently for Russel Welch in Tyler, Texas.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, Bill and Opal Wartchow.

His children survive him: son Curtis Wartchow and wife Stacie, Daughter Whitney Wartchow and husband Thomas Baker, grandchildren Cole Wartchow, Emma Wartchow, Braxton Baker, and Bowyn Baker, sisters Dana Williams and Raylene Celeya, Brother John Williams, and a host of nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Pallbearers are Billy Don Wainscott, Joe Merrick, Mike Burgess, G.R. Carter, Ronnie Wartchow, and Hank Morgan. Denny Halcomb and Alan Hybshaw will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Funeral services are under the care of Criswell Funeral Home in Ada, Oklahoma.