2004 San Diego LGBTQ Wall of Honor Inductee
When John Charles Eberly was born on September 4, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, his father, Karl, was 41 and his mother, Edith Fulton, was 35. He had three siblings. He died on January 27, 1989, in California at the age of 53.
Mr. John Eberly was a founding member of The Center in 1971 and an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD). An only child born and raised in Detroit, [mother's maiden name was Fulton] Mr. Eberly went to college at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he earned a B.S. in Psychology in 1956. He then moved back to Detroit to get his master's degree in Library Science from Wayne State University, graduating in 1971.
Mr. Eberly worked in the advertising industry in Detroit briefly before deciding to become a teacher. He moved to San Diego after earning his credential, where he was hired by the Chula Vista School District as a librarian and a kindergarten and first grade teacher. He served as President of the Chula Vista Elementary Education Association for several years, working for the school district for a total of 15 1/2 years.
Openly gay, Mr. Eberly became involved in the San Diego LGBT community immediately after relocating from Detroit. He served on The Center's Legal Committee and the Board of Directors in 1973, helping develop The Center from a small charity organization whose funds had to be funneled through Episcopal Community Services to an independent, nonprofit social welfare agency. Mr. Eberly was devoted to The Center; he organized meetings and facilitated discussion groups, tirelessly promoting the importance of The Center for the San Diego LGBT community.
In 1971, Mr. Eberly joined MCCSD and remained an active member throughout his life. He served on the board of directors and as editor of the Prodigal newsletter, helping to modernize and develop the church to accommodate its growing congregation. He started the church's Video Ministry in 1980, managing it for seven years. The Video Ministry produced the cablecast "Reflections of MCC," which was San Diego's longest running television show at the time Mr. Eberly stepped down in December 1987.
Mr. Eberly participated in local politics with the San Diego Democratic Club throughout the 1970s and '80s. He served in various capacities, including as treasurer for five years. In September 1988, the SDDC honored him with the President's Award for his service to the club and his dedication to democratic campaigns and LGBT community issues.
During the last years of his life, Mr. Eberly owned property immediately adjacent to the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, which housed the AIDS Assistance Fund and Concerned Citizens for AIDS Patients. The income generated from the tenants was only sufficient to cover property ownership costs. Diagnosed with AIDS, Mr. Eberly arranged to transfer ownership of the property to MCCSD in his will, ensuring that the nonprofit lease terms would continue. He also donated a large collection of papers and keepsakes to the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of San Diego that document his involvement in the San Diego LGBT community.
Mr. Eberly died at home of AIDS complications in January 1989. He was survived by his longterm partner, Charles Suko, and lifelong friend George Murphy.
When John Charles Eberly was born on September 4, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, his father, Karl, was 41 and his mother, Edith Fulton, was 35. He had three siblings. He died on January 27, 1989, in California at the age of 53.
Mr. John Eberly was a founding member of The Center in 1971 and an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD). An only child born and raised in Detroit, [mother's maiden name was Fulton] Mr. Eberly went to college at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he earned a B.S. in Psychology in 1956. He then moved back to Detroit to get his master's degree in Library Science from Wayne State University, graduating in 1971.
Mr. Eberly worked in the advertising industry in Detroit briefly before deciding to become a teacher. He moved to San Diego after earning his credential, where he was hired by the Chula Vista School District as a librarian and a kindergarten and first grade teacher. He served as President of the Chula Vista Elementary Education Association for several years, working for the school district for a total of 15 1/2 years.
Openly gay, Mr. Eberly became involved in the San Diego LGBT community immediately after relocating from Detroit. He served on The Center's Legal Committee and the Board of Directors in 1973, helping develop The Center from a small charity organization whose funds had to be funneled through Episcopal Community Services to an independent, nonprofit social welfare agency. Mr. Eberly was devoted to The Center; he organized meetings and facilitated discussion groups, tirelessly promoting the importance of The Center for the San Diego LGBT community.
In 1971, Mr. Eberly joined MCCSD and remained an active member throughout his life. He served on the board of directors and as editor of the Prodigal newsletter, helping to modernize and develop the church to accommodate its growing congregation. He started the church's Video Ministry in 1980, managing it for seven years. The Video Ministry produced the cablecast "Reflections of MCC," which was San Diego's longest running television show at the time Mr. Eberly stepped down in December 1987.
Mr. Eberly participated in local politics with the San Diego Democratic Club throughout the 1970s and '80s. He served in various capacities, including as treasurer for five years. In September 1988, the SDDC honored him with the President's Award for his service to the club and his dedication to democratic campaigns and LGBT community issues.
During the last years of his life, Mr. Eberly owned property immediately adjacent to the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, which housed the AIDS Assistance Fund and Concerned Citizens for AIDS Patients. The income generated from the tenants was only sufficient to cover property ownership costs. Diagnosed with AIDS, Mr. Eberly arranged to transfer ownership of the property to MCCSD in his will, ensuring that the nonprofit lease terms would continue. He also donated a large collection of papers and keepsakes to the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of San Diego that document his involvement in the San Diego LGBT community.
Mr. Eberly died at home of AIDS complications in January 1989. He was survived by his longterm partner, Charles Suko, and lifelong friend George Murphy.
2004 San Diego LGBTQ Wall of Honor Inductee
When John Charles Eberly was born on September 4, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, his father, Karl, was 41 and his mother, Edith Fulton, was 35. He had three siblings. He died on January 27, 1989, in California at the age of 53.
Mr. John Eberly was a founding member of The Center in 1971 and an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD). An only child born and raised in Detroit, [mother's maiden name was Fulton] Mr. Eberly went to college at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he earned a B.S. in Psychology in 1956. He then moved back to Detroit to get his master's degree in Library Science from Wayne State University, graduating in 1971.
Mr. Eberly worked in the advertising industry in Detroit briefly before deciding to become a teacher. He moved to San Diego after earning his credential, where he was hired by the Chula Vista School District as a librarian and a kindergarten and first grade teacher. He served as President of the Chula Vista Elementary Education Association for several years, working for the school district for a total of 15 1/2 years.
Openly gay, Mr. Eberly became involved in the San Diego LGBT community immediately after relocating from Detroit. He served on The Center's Legal Committee and the Board of Directors in 1973, helping develop The Center from a small charity organization whose funds had to be funneled through Episcopal Community Services to an independent, nonprofit social welfare agency. Mr. Eberly was devoted to The Center; he organized meetings and facilitated discussion groups, tirelessly promoting the importance of The Center for the San Diego LGBT community.
In 1971, Mr. Eberly joined MCCSD and remained an active member throughout his life. He served on the board of directors and as editor of the Prodigal newsletter, helping to modernize and develop the church to accommodate its growing congregation. He started the church's Video Ministry in 1980, managing it for seven years. The Video Ministry produced the cablecast "Reflections of MCC," which was San Diego's longest running television show at the time Mr. Eberly stepped down in December 1987.
Mr. Eberly participated in local politics with the San Diego Democratic Club throughout the 1970s and '80s. He served in various capacities, including as treasurer for five years. In September 1988, the SDDC honored him with the President's Award for his service to the club and his dedication to democratic campaigns and LGBT community issues.
During the last years of his life, Mr. Eberly owned property immediately adjacent to the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, which housed the AIDS Assistance Fund and Concerned Citizens for AIDS Patients. The income generated from the tenants was only sufficient to cover property ownership costs. Diagnosed with AIDS, Mr. Eberly arranged to transfer ownership of the property to MCCSD in his will, ensuring that the nonprofit lease terms would continue. He also donated a large collection of papers and keepsakes to the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of San Diego that document his involvement in the San Diego LGBT community.
Mr. Eberly died at home of AIDS complications in January 1989. He was survived by his longterm partner, Charles Suko, and lifelong friend George Murphy.
When John Charles Eberly was born on September 4, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, his father, Karl, was 41 and his mother, Edith Fulton, was 35. He had three siblings. He died on January 27, 1989, in California at the age of 53.
Mr. John Eberly was a founding member of The Center in 1971 and an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD). An only child born and raised in Detroit, [mother's maiden name was Fulton] Mr. Eberly went to college at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he earned a B.S. in Psychology in 1956. He then moved back to Detroit to get his master's degree in Library Science from Wayne State University, graduating in 1971.
Mr. Eberly worked in the advertising industry in Detroit briefly before deciding to become a teacher. He moved to San Diego after earning his credential, where he was hired by the Chula Vista School District as a librarian and a kindergarten and first grade teacher. He served as President of the Chula Vista Elementary Education Association for several years, working for the school district for a total of 15 1/2 years.
Openly gay, Mr. Eberly became involved in the San Diego LGBT community immediately after relocating from Detroit. He served on The Center's Legal Committee and the Board of Directors in 1973, helping develop The Center from a small charity organization whose funds had to be funneled through Episcopal Community Services to an independent, nonprofit social welfare agency. Mr. Eberly was devoted to The Center; he organized meetings and facilitated discussion groups, tirelessly promoting the importance of The Center for the San Diego LGBT community.
In 1971, Mr. Eberly joined MCCSD and remained an active member throughout his life. He served on the board of directors and as editor of the Prodigal newsletter, helping to modernize and develop the church to accommodate its growing congregation. He started the church's Video Ministry in 1980, managing it for seven years. The Video Ministry produced the cablecast "Reflections of MCC," which was San Diego's longest running television show at the time Mr. Eberly stepped down in December 1987.
Mr. Eberly participated in local politics with the San Diego Democratic Club throughout the 1970s and '80s. He served in various capacities, including as treasurer for five years. In September 1988, the SDDC honored him with the President's Award for his service to the club and his dedication to democratic campaigns and LGBT community issues.
During the last years of his life, Mr. Eberly owned property immediately adjacent to the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, which housed the AIDS Assistance Fund and Concerned Citizens for AIDS Patients. The income generated from the tenants was only sufficient to cover property ownership costs. Diagnosed with AIDS, Mr. Eberly arranged to transfer ownership of the property to MCCSD in his will, ensuring that the nonprofit lease terms would continue. He also donated a large collection of papers and keepsakes to the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of San Diego that document his involvement in the San Diego LGBT community.
Mr. Eberly died at home of AIDS complications in January 1989. He was survived by his longterm partner, Charles Suko, and lifelong friend George Murphy.
