John Roderick Chown

He was born June 15, 1930 to William and Margaret (McLeod) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He grew up on Lime Island and in the Soo, and developed an early interest in music by listening to recordings of his favorite big band trumpeter Harry James. One of his first jobs was playing in his father’s dance band.

His interest in teaching began while in high school after his band director became ill. John, though just a student himself, ran the class and that began the start of a teaching career that spanned more than 40 years.

Following graduation from Sault Ste. Marie High School in 1948, he got a job shoveling coal on ore boats the Irving S. Olds and the William Edenborn to earn enough money to enroll at Northern Michigan University. His time on these mighty freighters were some of the happiest memories of his life. While attending college in 1952, he was drafted by the US Army in the midst of the Korean War. He attended basic training in Fort Bliss, Texas, became a member of the AAA Artillery unit and was deployed to Germany. He said he always carried his mouthpiece in his pocket and jumped at the chance to audition for the U.S. Army Band School in Dachau, Germany. He planned to audition on trumpet but when he heard the other trumpeters, he made a strategic move to audition instead on French horn to ensure success. He got his orders to play in the 75th Army Band stationed in Orleans, France. He earned the rank of corporal and traveled extensively with the band performing at military ceremonies and events throughout Europe including USO shows with many Hollywood stars.

John received an honorable discharge from the service in 1954, and immediately returned to college as the new semester was just beginning. His first day back turned out to be pivotal in his life. He was asked to re-audition for entrance into the music education program and needed an accompanist. He found one. Her name was Ruth Nordine. They were married on June 14, 1956 in Ewen, Michigan.

John graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and was hired by the Stephenson (Michigan) school system. Chown was then recruited by Escanaba school board president John Lemmer during the summer of 1959. Chown accepted the job, completed his master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and moved his young family to Escanaba.

For the next 32 years, he educated and inspired thousands of students, leading both the high school and grade school band programs. In a Daily Press article published May 1,1991 upon his retirement, Chown was described as “the driving force behind Escanaba’s highly-respected music program.” Indeed he was.

“Mr. Chown” was known as a tough yet motivating teacher, always challenging students to perform at their very best whether they were on the concert stage, the football field or marching in a parade. More than 30 years after he retired, his influence continued to be felt. Former students continued to stop him in public. They reminisced about band and many said they did not fully appreciate his high standards until they had kids or grandkids. Ever sharp and full of wit, he was often able to recall what instrument the student played and in more cases than not, could add a story or quip about their musical ability or antics.

Chown’s bands earned Escanaba a strong reputation across the Upper Peninsula and Michigan for quality music education, receiving over 30 consecutive Division I ratings at state band festivals. He was also known as an exceptional and commanding conductor to help students interpret the music and to draw the right sound out of the band which at the height of Escanaba’s school population had more than 150 musicians. He also challenged students with the music he picked and loved to end concerts with music with what called a “big finish”. Concerts and festival performances were recorded on reel to reel tape and pressed into vinyl records. Those recordings were later digitized and he could often be found listening (and conducting) in his van with the volume cranked up.

Throughout the years, Chown also brought many innovative and creative concepts to the Escanaba music program and took the initiative to make things happen. He invited top-notch guest artists to perform with the band to expose students to professional musicians including Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen. His marching bands also performed intricate drills and picture show patterns that he designed to wow the crowd. Chown also utilized fundraising, which was not common in those days, to pay for new band uniforms and band trips across the country. He collaborated with Fred Sayklly to sell band candy in customized orange and black boxes for many years. As other organizations began to sell Sayklly’s candy, Chown looked for his next unique fundraising idea. He found it when he contacted a fruit orchard in Texas and got Elmer Dagenais to bond the shipment. At its peak, two semi trucks arrived in the high school parking lot with over 120,000 pounds of grapefruit and oranges sold by band students.

Chown also gave his students unique opportunities on the many band trips he arranged. A couple stood out.

In 1965, the quality of Escanaba HS marching band caught the attention of the Green Bay Packers which invited it to perform at a pre-season game. The Escanaba Daily Press covered the trip and the news article of September 9, 1965 included the historical significance of the game as Packer field was officially dedicated to the memory of Curly Lambeau. The trip was also personally memorable for Mr. Chown. The now legendary band director met legendary football coach Vince Lombardi. He recalled Lombardi shaking his hand and saying “you’ve got a hell of a band.” The band did such an outstanding job they were invited back to perform during a regular season game. On October 25,1965 the band attended the Packers vs. Cowboys game in Milwaukee and made broadcast tv history when they were the first to perform the national anthem on a televised NFL game.

In 1978, Chown approached the school board with yet another bold idea – charter two North Central Airlines jets to fly the band non-stop from the Delta County Airport to Orlando, Florida. It was a memorable trip as students performed at Walt Disney World, Circus World and other Florida attractions.

Mr. Chown retired in 1991 after a distinguished career with the Escanaba Public Schools. He continued to work for the next 10 years with Dixie Classic Festivals to organize and stage band and orchestra festivals and competitions in the Southeast. He was also involved in organizing fundraising Monster Concerts with his wife Ruth that raised money for new lighting at the junior high school and other local music projects.

Chown’s love of travel and experience with musical group tours led to several European summer tours as a member of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp staff. His photo albums are also full of pictures from road trips he took with the family’s many golden retrievers and his presence at important family moments. His most memorable trip was taking his 90 year old father Bill to England and back to his family home in Peterborough. It was Bill’s first trip back to his homeland since coming to America as a young teenager. As a veteran, Chown was part of the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight trip to Washington DC in 2014. Another thrill was seeing the great Gustavo Dudumel conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

He defied his age and loved it every time someone told him he didn’t look or act his age. And that was true. In 2024 during the City Band’s centennial season, he stepped up to the podium and conducted as if he hadn’t aged a bit. This past summer, at age 95, he continued to be the oldest member of the Escanaba City Band, playing trumpet alongside his former students. He found great joy in attending concerts, talking about music (and the weather), and watching the marching band at Eskymo football games. He was awarded an honorary lifetime award from the Esky (HS) Band Boosters in 2023.

John Chown lived life with purpose and determination til the very end of his days. He will forever be associated with musical excellence in Escanaba. He will also be deeply missed by his family.

John Chown is survived by his children Karen Collier & husband David, Amy Chown & friend Michael Growdon, and Kevin Chown & wife Julie Croasdell; granddaughter Arianna Townsend & husband Tyler, great-grandson Wells Townsend; and was Uncle Jack to 11 nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth Nordine Chown, son Mark and siblings Audrey LeLievre, Margaret Ann Holger, Don Chown and William Chown.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of John Chown will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba with Rev. Lily Brondyke officiating. A luncheon (and pie) will be served following the funeral services in the church fellowship hall. The church will alsostream the funeral live on their Facebook page. A private burial service with military honors by the United States Army will be conducted at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.

Those wishing to share stories and memories with John Chown’s family can do so via email at jrchown@gmail.com. Contributions in memory of Mr. Chown may be directed to the Esky (HS) Band Boosters, PO Box 905, Escanaba, MI 49829 (or eskybandboosters.com) or the Soo Locks Visitors Center Association, PO Box 666 Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Chown family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net