Died January 26, 2021.

John B. Connally High School, Austin, TX

Physical Education, Football & Track Coach

Obituary:

Todd Lee Schonhar, “Coach Sho”, of Leander, TX passed away on January 26, 2021 at the age of 57.  He was born on December 30, 1963 in Newark, Ohio to Charles Lee Schonhar and Katherine Baggs Schonhar.  Todd Schonhar married Julia Garrison Barton in 1990 in her parent’s hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married 31 years at the time of his passing. 

Todd graduated from Easley High School in Easley South Carolina in 1982.  He went to Clemson University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education in 1986 and a Master in Education in 1989.  Todd played football and baseball at Clemson earning letters in Football in 1985 and 1986 as a reserve Quarterback and Holder and was named to the Academic All-ACC team in 1986.  After graduation, Todd was a Graduate Assistant on Danny Ford’s Clemson coaching staff from 1987 to 1990 and subsequently a Graduate Assistant at the University of Oklahoma from 1990 to 1991. 

Todd enjoyed a successful career as a college and high school football coach for 34 years.  In 1991, Todd and Julia moved to DeKalb, Illinois, where Todd was the Assistant Coach for Running Backs and assisted in Special Team Play at Northern Illinois University until 1998.  From 1998 to 2000, he was the Assistant Coach for Receivers at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Todd was also the Varsity Assistant Coach for the 5A Texas State Football Champions at North Shore High School in Houston in 2003.  Afterwards, he moved to Tarleton State University to serve as the Offensive Coordinator from 2005 to 2007 and later became the Quarterback coach at Stephen F. Austin from 2007 to 2012.  He then moved to Austin, Texas where he was the Quarterback Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Stony Point High School and Offensive Coordinator at Pflugerville Connally High School, both in Austin, Texas.  Todd spent his life tirelessly teaching and mentoring his players and students.  Todd was able to “connect” with his players and help them thrive and succeed, not just on the football field, but also more importantly in life as leaders. 

A gifted athlete, Todd was a scratch golfer and could often be found on the golf course in his spare time and competed for qualification in the 2003 British Open. Recently, he enjoyed volunteering at the WGC Dell Match Play in various roles.

Todd impacted hundreds of people far and wide through his association with teaching, coaching, mentoring and volunteering.  He loved to be surrounded by family and was at his happiest when they were near.  Todd was well known for his dry wit and sense of humor. He was a master of impersonations and found great joy in making people laugh and smile.

Todd is survived by his wife, Julia Barton Schonhar of Leander, Texas; his parents, Charles Lee Schonhar and Katherine Baggs Schonhar of Easley, South Carolina; his brother Mark and Theresa Schonhar and their children, Drew, Megan, Josh and Lyndy of Easley, South Carolina; and his sister Amy Schonhar Jackson and husband Todd Jackson and their children, Hannah and Abby of Greer, South Carolina; Sisters in law Valerie Barton, Alison Stroh, Jacque Barton and Sara Shulman of Austin, Texas and niece Alison Barton and nephew Ethan Stroh and great niece Mallory.

The Todd L. Schonhar Memorial Scholarship, a non-profit scholarship to honor Todd, provides funds to a deserving student on an annual basis.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, please click on this link Todd Schonhar Memorial Scholarship to make a contribution to his fund.  Through your generous donations, Todd’s legacy will continue to provide opportunities to students for years to come. Celebration of Life plans will be shared as they are finalized.