John G. Bays

John was born in Traverse City, Michigan, to the late Harvey W. Bays and Anna Elizabeth Anderson Bays on May 31, 1940. He graduated from Central high school in Traverse City and then attended the University of Michigan. After graduating from UMich in 1963, John became an officer in the United States Air Force and, after six years of service, he entered civilian life to work at the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. He married Elizabeth Maurine Thompson on August 15, 1969, in Wichita Falls, Texas. John later became a Virginia real estate broker and, after retiring, he turned his hobby of collecting and showing award-winning classic British Rolls Royce and Bentley automobiles into a successful limousine business.

John was a Cub Scout Leader, a Boy Scout Leader, and volunteered as a ski instructor and boat driver for 40 years with the Lake of the Woods Water Ski Club of Locust Grove, Virginia. He was a longtime member of the Pohick Episcopal Church in Lorton, Virginia. John was an accomplished fisherman and a music enthusiast. He was a devoted grandfather who regularly attended his grandchildren’s various activities, including little league baseball games and school band performances.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Brunhilde, and his nephew, Gordon Marshall. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth; his two sons, John Thomas Bays (Tracy) and Andrew Bays; his sister, Sue Ellen Harrison (Charles); and his three grandchildren, Patrick, Valerie, and Maya.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, at Pohick Episcopal Church, 9301 Richmond Highway, Lorton, Virginia. The burial will follow at the church cemetery and a reception will be held in the church common room.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Goodwin House hospice team for their dedicated care of John.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions be made to John's beloved water ski club:

Lake of the Woods Adaptive Watersports

PO Box 843

Locust Grove, VA 22508