John David Nation

was born July 31, 1938 in Akron, OH and was greeted by the Lord, at the age of 74, on November 10, 2012 in Phoenix, AZ. John served in the Air Force for 20 years and specialized in Avionics for Aircraft and Missile systems. While he was in the Air Force, he married Jean Marie Lemmert on January 7, 1958. John traveled with the Air Force to many countries and spread the word of the Lord as he went. He served God and his country with dignity and passion. He fought for his country in Vietnam and while he was there he taught English to the children. After the Air Force, John worked for the Northrop Grumman Aircraft company. He worked as a Technical Representative and continued to travel the world. John loved golfing and fishing and spoiling his little dogs. He and his family split their time between Heber/Overgaard and Mesa, Arizona and traveling to see Grand Children. He was licensed to preach the gospel of the Lord in 1980 at Crenshaw Baptist Church, Torrance,CA, and became an ordained Baptist minister on January 9, 1999 at First Southern Baptist Church, Overgaard, AZ. We lived in many places and learned quickly that home is where you hang your hat. We have had a blessed and love filled life with him and he will be terribly missed. John was a Loving Husband, Magnificent Father, Amazing Grandfather, Wonderful Great Grandfather and has friends all over the world. John is survived by his wife and best friend of 55 years, Jean M. Nation; children, John Nation, Jr., Jeffrey Nation, Jill Nation-Cox and Julie Nation-Leahey; 11 Grandchildren, Jeremy, Bryan, Jason, Matthew, Jori, Melissa, Jenna, Joshua, Lauren, Ryan and Lani; three Great Grandchildren, Jackson, Simon and Madigan; sister Cherie Thompson of TN; and brother Donnie Nation of FL. An Inurnment will take place at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 1:30pm with Full Military Honors presented by the US Air Force Honor Guard. A Memorial Service for family and friends will be announced at a later date.