John "Jack" Francis Grabda Jr.

John Francis Grabda Jr. was a Patriot and modeled the Security Services motto of “Freedom through Vigilance”. A man who loved his country and who used his skills to the maximum in the service of the United States Air Force. He always demonstrated to his family his innate beliefs of: integrity, honor, respect, sense of responsibility, love of family and country.

John F. Grabda Jr. was born October 26,1941 in Syracuse, NY to John F. Grabda Sr. and Charlotte Vera Bobinski. He attended Sacred Heart Parochial School, and then Solvay High School, graduated in 1959. John continued on to Syracuse University earning dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and Psychology in 1963.

He began his career as a newspaper reporter for the Syracuse Herald Journal, then joined the United States Air Force in 1964. He was then assigned to Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas for signals intelligence officer training.

In January 1966, he entered the 6986 Security Group at Wakkanai Air Station, Japan serving as Chief of Administrative Services. In October 1968 he was reassigned to the 6987 Security Group, Shu Lin Kou Air Station, Taiwan, as Assistant Operations Officer.

In March 1971, John was transferred as Officer in Charge of Ol AA, 6924 Security Squadron, Son Tra, Republic of Vietnam, providing direct support to the Tactical Air Control Center – North Sector. He then served as Operations Officer, 6924 Security Squadron, Ramasun Station, Thailand.

In March 1972 he was reassigned to HQ USAFSS, Plans and Policy Division as an Actions Officer.

In June 1975, he went to Lindsey Air Station Germany where he served a year in a Foreign Liaison Post. He then transferred to HQ USAFE at Ramstein Air Base in 1976 where he performed various collection management duties. He was then Reassigned to NATO in 1979 as a computer planner and collection manager.

He returned to the United States in June of 1982 and was assigned to Fort Mead Maryland, where he served as Chief of the Mobile Systems Division until 1985. In April 1985 he returned to San Antonio for assignment as Chief of Current Operations, HQ ESC.

Colonel Grabda’s Awards and Decorations include: The Bronze Star, 2 Defense Meritorious Service medals, 1 Air Force Meritorious Service medal, 2 Commendation medals, and the Air Force Achievement medal, Vietnam Service medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with device with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

After retiring from the Air Force, he received Distinguished Graduate Masters in English Communications from St. Mary’s University in May of 1990 and taught at St. Philips College, San Antonio, Texas. While at St. Philips he also taught dual credit courses in the local high schools.

Colonel Grabda is survived by his wife Madie Austin Grabda, 6 children: John F. Grabda III, Camillus, NY, Mark W. Grabda, Plattsburgh, NY, Michelle Crowley, Bethesda, MD, Anthony L. Grabda, San Antonio, TX, Lola Wilson, Austin, TX, and Keely Hovatter, Austin, TX: 9 grandchildren: John Grabda IV, Manhattan, NY, Christopher Grabda, Syracuse, NY, Marina Grabda, Syracuse, NY, Rhett Lindberg, Seguin, TX, Dillon Jackson, Bossier City, LA, Zachary Jackson, Bossier City, LA, Daniel Crowley Jr, Dallas, TX, Reagan Crowley, Bethesda, MD, Ava Hovatter, Austin, TX, and 3 great grandchildren: Luke and Stella Jackson, Bossier City, LA, and Illiana Lindberg, Seguin, TX.

Colonel Grabda, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and patriot will be missed by all who’s lives he touched.

Please join us in celebration of the life of Jack F. Grabda. Services will be held on January 29th, 2025 at 11:30am at St. Peters Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church. Internment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:00pm. Celebration of life meal at La Fonda Alamo Heights.

In lieu of flowers, donations can made to the Commemorative Air Force or Applied Science and Technology Aviation Program. Mail checks to : St. Philips College 1801 Martin Luther King Drive Office of Institutional Advancement, San Antonio, TX 78203