John Gregory Fahling

Captain John Gregory Fahling, age 72 of Palatka, Florida died peacefully at his home on Monday March 13, 2023. John was born in Libertyville, Illinois on March 10, 1952. John was the fourth of six children. His childhood was filled with small-town activities. At various times he had a horse, a chicken, and dogs. His life-long love of fishing began on the local lake, Diamond Lake in Mundelein. When John was 14 his mother died suddenly. John and the others struggled with her passing and the changes it caused. John joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1969. In 1971, he met Paz Guarnes while stationed in Hawaii and they were married that year. His Navy duties required much time at sea. Whenever home, his real joy was his 3 children, Suzanne, Maripaz and John G. II and, over time, his (3) grandchildren. John had a 36-year distinguished military career. During his career he spent 25 years on submarines, held various posts as Executive Officer, Shore Activity, First Lieutenant, Afloat, Operations Officer and Ship’s Boatswain. Commendations and medals awarded are too numerous to list and include: Vietnam Service Medal, Pistol Marksmanship Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Two Time Sailor Of The Year, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal. Captain Fahling retired September 1, 2005. After retirement John continued his career as President of McCabe, Hamilton & Renny Co. Hawaii. In 2018, after his wife Paz passed away, John moved from Hawaii to Palatka, Florida to be near son, John G. and to be near the rivers, gulf and ocean that ensured he could pursue his love of all things fishing. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Paz G. Fahling, his parents: Ethel Ainger-Fahling and OwinLinn Fahling, and his sister Marie Crawford. He will be sadly missed by his children: Suzanne Gooch (William “Bill” Gooch), Mariapaz Sisco (Doug Sisco) and John G Fahling (Ramona Fahling) and grandchildren Deagen Fahling, Emerson Sisco, and Jillian Fahling and his 4 siblings: James Fahling, Cheryl Price, Nanette Cantrell and Gerald Fahling and brother and sister in laws and numerous nieces and nephews. A private military burial will be held in the Albert G Horton Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia on May 11th. In lieu of flowers, donations to US Vets www.usvets.org are welcome.