Lt. General John Edward Jaquish

Lieutenant General John E. Jaquish passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 19, 2021.

Born March 9, 1937, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, John was son of the late John H. Jaquish and Olive (Mitchell) Jaquish.

John led an adventurous life that many could only dream of. His family and friends will remember him most for his playful wit, generous spirit and dedication to those he loved. John was always ready to give his time, talent or treasure to support and help those dearest to him.

John loved to take on new challenges and excelled in most everything. He picked up golf at age 22, became a scratch golfer before he was 25. He remained a tough competitive golfer throughout his life and was still shooting below his age well into his 70s. As a young man, John also played tennis, baseball and softball.

He was a fierce competitor, whether in athletics, games, or work. No matter the situation, John gave life his all. John’s commitment and pursuit of excellence was never more evident than in his dedication to his family and country.

In 1955, John graduated from Charlotte Hall Military Academy in Maryland and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Rutgers University in 1959.

January 1960 was the start of long and wonderful life for John. He married his beautiful and loving wife, Sandra Jean Carson, of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force to begin his long and distinguished career.

John and Sandy were married for 45 years prior to her passing in 2005. Through the many assignments around the world, they raised three children, Michelle (Shelly), Heidi and John (Jake). Despite making many moves and calling home to various cities and states, the family remained very close and in 2003 John and Sandy made their final move to join their three children in Coppell, Texas. Living within a few miles of each other allowed the entire family (John, Sandy, their children, their spouses, grandchildren, and in-law Sona Traw) to spend a lot of time together experiencing daily events, weekends and holidays as one large family. Every year since 1993 the entire family vacationed together at their favorite spot in Hilton Head, South Carolina; a tradition that John treasured through July 2021.

In 2008, John reconnected with a dear friend Dorothea (Dossie) Sullivan. John and Dossie shared time together between Rowayton, Connecticut ,and Coppell, Texas. They enjoyed each other’s families and traveled together. Dossie introduced John to the world of competitive bridge when he was in his 70’s. In typical, John Jaquish competitive fashion, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2010 at the age of 73 – an achievement he was particularly proud of.

During his 34-year career in the United States Air Force, John rose to the rank of Lt. General and was a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours in the F-102, F-106, F-4 and F-15 and 104 Vietnam combat missions in the F-4E.

John was successful and held Command and staff positions of increasing responsibility, including:

Commander of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing's 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Deputy commander for operations to the 405th Tactical Training Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Commander of the 325th Fighter Weapons Wing, U.S. Air Force Air Defense Weapons Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. At Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, John held the positions of Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements, Inspector General and then Chief of Staff. Commander U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. John closed his military career as the Principal Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

John loved his life, his family and his country. He was blessed with so many friends and fond memories that came along his journey.

John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sandra, and his sister, Olive “Pat” Ogilvie. He is survived by his sister Shirley Hartman, his children: Michelle Traw and husband Ron, Heidi Castle and husband Michael, and John Jaquish and wife Alissa, eight grandchildren: Kristen, Tanner, Lauren, Bethany, Madalyn, Matthew, John, Casey and her husband Robert, great grandchild Benjamin, and his friend Dossie Sullivan.

Lt. General John E. Jaquish will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, with full military honors at a later date. He will be greatly missed by those he leaves behind and those who left before him now enjoy his company as he embarks on his next great adventure.