John L. Scarborough, a World War II veteran, American Airlines Flight Engineer, devoted husband, and father of seven, passed away January 27, 2019. Born in 1927, he was the son of Harry Karl and Madeline Tunstall, who owned and operated a tobacco farm in Greensboro, North Carolina. He joined the Navy at 17 and was sent to the Pacific theatre; at one point, he served aboard a support vessel for the Midway. After returning home, he was passing through Springfield, Missouri, and struck up a conversation with the manager of a Pan-American Wallpaper and Paint Co. store. A week later, he proposed to her, and she became his wife of 64 years. The couple moved to Dallas in 1955, where they raised 7 children and attended Shiloh Terrace Baptist and Casa View Baptist Church. He was a mechanic for American Airlines and went back to school to become a Flight Engineer. Prior to his passing he was one of five lifetime career Flight Engineers. After retiring, he captained a boat, and his grandchildren served as his first mates. He is survived by his sons Danny (wife Kathy), Colby (wife Marsha), Trent (wife Mary), David, and daughters Jacque (husband Stephen Cooper) and Mary (husband Dr. Larry Nickell); 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Virginia and his son John L., Jr. The family will receive friends, Friday, February 1, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, with funeral services immediately following at Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers please donate to The Stewpot homeless shelter, 1835 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201.
