John Eugene Roley

Of Carlisle, PA… Born 4/17/1940 in Clarkston, WA – Died 10/20/2016 at Pinnacle’s West Shore Hospital after a difficult year spent both at home with health care assistance by Celtic Home Care and in several health care settings: West Shore Hospital, Health South Rehabilitation, Homeland Center, Helen Simpson Rehabilitation and Church of God Nursing Home. Survived by wife of 49 years Sarah Lynn Starke Roley; Daughter Andrea (Gary) Mason of Harrisburg, PA; Son Jonathan Roley of Carlisle, PA; Grandchildren: Gavin and Celeste Mason; Sister Verna Kay (Bill) Cox of Seymour, TN; Brother Jerry Lee (Janet) Roley of Calabash, NC; half Sister Carolyn Eugenia R. Morley of Victoria, TX. John was preceded in Death by his Parents: Verna E & John E Roley Sr (Merritt Island, FL). In addition, John is survived by his In-Laws: David (Cris) Starke of Lexington, MO and James R. (Kathy) Starke of Derby, KS; and Gretchen Starke of Knob Noster, MO as well as Nieces: Debbie (Kevin), Susan Lynn (John), Stephanie (Gary), Debbie Ingrid, Sarah Kristina (Dave), Tiana, Sabrina (Albert), and Melissa (Clark). Nephews: David (Norma); Kevin (Shannon); and Michael. Great-Nieces: Brandi (Corey), Ashley, Brianna Marie (deceased), Haley Ruth, Grace Elizabeth, Mallie, Abigail and Gabriella. Great-Great Nephews: Brandon (Shana); twins Trevor and Tanner (Alison); twins: Brycson and Bradyn; and Ryland. Great-Great Nieces: Madyson & Katie Lynn & Rileigh Marie. Great-Great Nephew: Mason. John leaves Cousins in ND: Sandy (Jim); Lou Ann (Wayne); Doug (Debbie); and Ardis (in CA)

After a short time as an infant in Washington State and Oregon, John spent his early years in Sitka, Alaska (which he returned to via Cruise Ship in 2005 and checked that off his ‘bucket list’). Then began John’s travels with family following his Dad’s work to California, Florida, and to American Embassies in some of the following locations: Istanbul, Turkey; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Teheran, Iran; Lisbon, Portugal; and later he lived in Falls Church, Fairfax. and Alexandria, Virginia. John began his own travels first to his education by graduating from Junior College (1960) at Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, MO, (where he met Sarah Lynn). John joined the United States Army and spent time (1961-64) at : Fort Dix, NJ; Fort Devens, MA; Frankfort, Germany; and Fort Hamilton, NY.

John’s early jobs were at The Washington Post; Sears & Roebuck; US Post Office; National Security Agency; Defense Communications Agency (TS Clearance:1967-1970). John and Sarah Lynn were married children’s August 5, 1967 in Lexington, MO. John completed his education at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (1972). His first home was purchased in Oxon Hill, MD. John’s first Job after UVA graduation was working as an Operations Research Analyst with Defense Communications Agency & Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon (1972-78). As a Civilian working for the Army, he did analysis of war plans using conventional forces.

John’s marriage was blessed with a Daughter Andrea Dawn (1974) and a Son Jonathan Eric Starke (1978). Most of John’s vacations were devoted to traveling to visit his children’s Grandparents in MO & FL and keeping in touch with family because family was a top priority for John. These trips were interspersed with tent camping trips with his family. Over his lifetime he traveled to all 50 states in America. During his active life, John managed to survive wild Boar hunting in Turkey with friends, a near drowning caught in the under-tow in Black Sea where he was rescued by a Turkish business man in a very wet suit and shoes, an apparent one time skiing accident with fractured left knee cap which healed without medical intervention, all day tour ‘ teen adventures’ among ancient ruins in Iran and Turkey with no supervision for hours on end, and a very bad case of pneumonia which caused him to sulk at home while his siblings enjoyed an outing on a friend’s yacht. Most recently due to a genealogy connection on the internet, John’s half-sister Carolyn, who he not seen in 73 years, traveled from Texas with her son Michael and friend Twila, to visit with him on September 30th.

John enjoyed working on legislative issues and with attention to details, he often prepared extensive information on both Republican and Democratic candidates that helped us make more informed decisions before we entered the voting booth. He loved playing ‘the Devil’s Advocate’ which led to lively discussions in Bible studies and Sunday School Classes. During his retirement years, he enjoyed teaching Investment classes, watching Netflix, plus movies on Hulu, reading professional magazines and non-fiction novels including science fiction, plus eating Italian food, and lots of chocolate.

Recruited to work by a former boss at the Pentagon, Col. Ray Macedonia, in 1978, John came to Army War College to work as Operations Research Analyst where he supported educational war gaming using computer models (1978-2005). At his retirement party in 2003, John noted that he’d never had 3 weeks vacation and was looking forward to new ‘free’ time. On his 21st day of retirement, he received a call to return to work as a Consultant which he accepted and was tasked with supporting the Annual Robotics Day for the AWC for a couple of years (2004-2005).

Some organizations that captured John’s free time over the years were Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, Zero Population Growth, Southern Prince George’s Republican Club, and Henson Valley Christian Church in Oxon Hill. Perhaps you knew John at work at Pentagon (1972-78) & Army War College (1978-2005) or in community at First United Church of Christ as Sunday School Superintendent and Audio Tech; Assistant Leader in Boy Scouts of America/Troop#182; Common Cause; Amputee Support Group (2012); NARFE/National Assoc of Retired Federal Employees/Chapter 373 as Vice-President working on Legislative Issues; LEMIC/Investment Club; and Boiling Springs Investment Club. John also volunteered for and was supportive of Sarah Lynn’s work with FAUS/ Feingold Association of the United States; + NAMI/National Alliance for Mental Illness; Carlisle Area Truck Stop Ministry; and Project SHARE. More recently you may have been one of the wonderful health professionals who worked with dedication to provide healing for John at Pinnacle West Shore Hospital (Mechanicsburg), Health South Rehab (Mechanicsburg), Homeland Center (Harrisburg), Helen Simpson Rehab (Harrisburg), and Church of God Nursing Home (Carlisle), Celtic Home Care, and in 2012-2013 at Forrest Park (Carlisle) and Sarah Todd Nursing Homes (Carlisle) both before and after John’s right BK (below knee) amputation in 2012.

Special Thanks go to a ‘Village of Medical & Nursing Caregivers” including, but not limited to: Dr. Felix Gutierrez/Cardiologist; Dr. Claudette Jatto /Internal Medicine; Dr. Michael Pheasant/Retina Specialist; Dr. Ray Dahl/Orthopedic Surgeon; Dr. Michael Lupinacci/Physiatry (Ortho Rehabilitation); and Dr. Frederick Lorenzo & Dr. Rogers/Wound Specialists who provided the best care to John over last 16 years. God Bless these true professionals and all the wonderful “wellness warriors” at all the hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, and nursing homes and to our special caregivers with Celtic Home Care. Thanks to all our Pastors and folks at First UCC who have supported us with Christian love and caring. An extra special thanks to several friends and Jonathan who took John out to many of his favorite restaurants: including Scalles and Midddlesex Diner. You all weren’t the only ones keeping John alive and in touch with our community because the joy and loves of his life were his Grandson Gavin Asher and Granddaughter Celeste Arielle, who surely added years to his life.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, November 19 at 3 pm (visitation 2:15 – 3pm) at First United Church of Christ, 30 North Pitt St, Carlisle, PA 17013. Come and celebrate John’s life! In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to First United Church of Christ or charity of your choice. Burial of John’s ashes will be at a later date at a Military Cemetery in the Midwest. Cremation Society of PA is coordinating arrangements. If you are on this web site, you have found John’s more detailed obituary: www.cremationsocietyofpa.com where you may share memories and condolences.