John Christopher Wassermann June 21, 1963 – September 5, 2026
The son of Korean War veteran Leonard Loyd Wassermann and Iva “Sandy” Sanders Wassermann, John Christopher Wassermann was born in Los Angeles, California, June 21, 1963. His dad was a major influence on his life, shaping his character, his love of family and country, instilling impeccable manners, and inspiring a lifelong love of distinctive firearms and automobiles, especially sports cars.
After moving to Tennessee when he was sixteen, John graduated from Cornersville High School in 1981 and spent a lifetime in the auto industry, last serving as Service Writer for Stan McNabb Chevrolet Cadillac of Columbia.
John, encouraged by his good friend Marty Dahlberg, became a remarkable skeet and sporting clays shooter after taking up the sport in his late 40s. Many consider him the best shot they’ve ever seen, which earned him scores of trophies in Tennessee and Alabama.
One of his joys in life was passing on his knowledge of shooting to others, such as his son-in-law Morgan Abrigo. On August 26, Morgan won the 5th Annual Music City Sporting Clays Tournament at the Nashville Gun Club, and no one was prouder than John, who introduced him to the game.
Cameron Haack, manager of the Henry Horton Trap and Skeet Range says John’s choice of the smallbore .410 gauge was purely a matter of “sportsmanship.”
In the dove field, John could shoot his limit of birds with the .410, literally before a fellow hunter’s coffee was cold. There is an often-repeated story to that effect – which also includes his beloved Labrador/Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix, Milo, now 14 years old, who expertly retrieved all 15 of those doves.
John, an excellent trainer, loved dogs, especially Milo, his Black Lab Millie, and his Beagle Copper.
But more than anything, John loved his family. He leaves behind his best friend and devoted wife of 24 years Kim, his brother David (Kim Bivens) Wassermann, his daughter Lauren (Morgan) Abrigo, his son Ryan Derryberry, and his grandchildren Lincoln and Shepherd Abrigo, Rylan and Greyson Derryberry, and Cameron Forsyth. He was predeceased by his parents and his father and mother-in-law James Floyd and Bobbie June Spivey Brown, whom he treasured.
Three years ago, John was diagnosed with cancer yet he never stopped doing the things he loved, and his friends – particularly, those of the Flying Feathers Skeet Range and Clubhouse he built on his beautiful farm – were happy to keep him company.
The last week of his life, John dove hunted twice, fished three times, cleaned up his boat, and shellacked the seats.
Fittingly, he died on the dove field Saturday morning, September 5th, among friends who fought to save him, among them Gale Sanders.
John was much loved and respected as evidenced by the hundreds of comments on Facebook sent to friends and family.
In those comments, “Gentleman” is the word most often used to describe John Wassermann.
Visitation with the family will be held at London Funeral Home, 324 West Church Street, Lewisburg, TN, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.
Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 12:00 pm at London Funeral Home with Will Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Short Cemetery with Morgan Abrigo, Kasey Chumley, Gale Sanders, Kenneth Kelly, Eric Blackwell, and Bob Johnson serving as pallbearers.
London Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to assist the family with arrangements.
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London Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to assist the family with arrangements.
