John Steven Garwal, 50, of Aliso Viejo, California, formerly of Libertyville, Illinois, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023.

John was born on June 1, 1973 in Proviso Township, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, to the Honorable Judge Dale Allen Garwal and Carole Marie Potempa Garwal. John was the third child born to Dale and Carole, joining his oldest sister, Caroline, and his older sister, Jennifer. The family lived in Elmhurst, Illinois for five years and then relocated to Libertyville, Illinois in 1978 when John was five years old. John grew up and had his formative years in Libertyville. John dedicated himself to his academics and loved playing many sports including golf, hockey, baseball, basketball, and football. From a very young age, John showered everyone with his contagious laugh, his ear-to-ear smile, his goofy sense of humor, and his beautiful, carefree spirit. John did it all and made it look easy.

In high school, John played point guard on the Libertyville High School (LHS) boys' varsity basketball team, which went to the 1991 Illinois state championship playoffs in Champaign, Illinois. He also led the LHS boys' football team as the team's starring quarterback and team captain during his senior year in the fall of 1990. John was a leader both on and off the field during his high school years and beyond. He always led by example and with grace and kindness. John graduated LHS in 1991 with honors.

John attended the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign and graduated with honors in 3 1⁄2 years with an B.S. in Accounting in 1995. He also passed all parts of the CPA exam in his first attempt in 1995. After earning his CPA, John began his career in 1995 as an auditor for Arthur Andersen in Chicago. He moved on to a banking career shortly after that. John met Brenda Lynn Moeller in 1999, and they were married in Crete, Illinois on December 26, 1999. Following their marriage, John earned his MBA with honors from the University of
Chicago Booth Business School with a concentration in Finance and Strategy.

John and Brenda had four beautiful children: James Andrew, Madilyn Maree, Samuel Dale, and Gabriella Eve. The family spent several years living in Libertyville, Illinois, then relocated to Aliso Viejo, California in 2016. Throughout the years, you could find John on the field volunteering his time by coaching each and every one of his children and their teammates in various sports. He was the biggest fan watching all their games. John was also very active in church, volunteering his time and his many talents and skills to the church.

In California, John would often be seen getting up super early to go surfing in Laguna Beach and then aferwards he would hop into his convertible and drive to work along Pacific Coast Highway. Taking in the coastline views was his paradise on earth. His children were his lifeline, and he was always grateful to have a lifestyle such that he could actively participate in all of his kids' passions, enjoy nature and God's beauty all around him, and share his beaming smile and laugh with everyone. John led a balanced life, and his family was always his priority. Despite all of his many accomplishments, his biggest source of pride was always his children.

John was everyone's biggest cheerleader. He made everyone lucky enough to cross paths with him feel like they were the most special and precious person in the world. This included kids and adults alike. Not once did we ever hear John say a negative word about anyone or
anything. He loved everyone. His deep passion, endless positivity, and mountainous zest for life were infectious. John was truly a radiant light in this world, and now from above, John's beautiful light will be shining brightly for each of us for all of eternity.

John is survived by his wife, Brenda Lynn Moeller Garwal, his children, James Andrew, Madilyn Maree, Samuel Dale, and Gabriella Eve, his parents, The Honorable Judge Dale Allen Garwal and Carole Marie Potempa Garwal, and his two sisters, Caroline Garwal and Jennifer Garwal DiMonte (Anthony).

Rest in peace, John. We miss you. We love you.

In lieu of flowers please donate to:
King of Kings Church in Garden Grove, CA
St. Johns Church in Libertyville, IL
Ronald McDonald House

The funeral service at King of Kings will be recorded and livestreamed. To view the livestream of service, please follow the link provided below.

https://www.kingofkingsgg.org/page/live-stream