John Joseph Warlow Jr.

Born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on January 19, 1937, to John J. and Bernice C. (Bleistein) Warlow Sr., Jack cherished his early years in West Lebanon, where he shared fond memories with his sister Carol, grandparents Joe and Marie Bleistein, and a close-knit extended family—many of whom had just returned from military service in World War II. At age 13, he began his first job working on an auction truck, a formative experience that shaped his lifelong work ethic and deep respect for military service. After graduating from Lebanon Valley High School in 1954, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy, serving proudly as a fire control technician and sonar specialist aboard a destroyer escort ship. Following four years of honorable service, he attended Penn State’s York extension campus, pursuing a degree in Electrical Technology.

On February 13, 1960, Jack married Virginia A. Kunkelman with whom he raised four children and two stepchildren. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Jack built the family’s first home in Birdsboro, PA, all while launching his professional journey at Western Electric/Bell Laboratories in semiconductor testing manufacturing and testing. He later joined General Electric’s Aerospace Division, where he devoted over 25 years to pioneering advancements in the aerospace industry. While working for GE, Jack played a pivotal role in the design and testing of electromechanical components for NIMBUS I and II—the first U.S. weather satellites—and later contributed to the development of nuclear missile arming and fusing systems. As computer technology emerged in the late 1960s, he mastered multiple programming languages and operating systems to support the development and testing of hybrid integrated circuitry used in the first MK12A rocket re-entry systems.

After retiring in 1989, he relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where he enjoyed playing bridge, reading historical fiction, attending local theater productions, visiting historical sights, and working alongside his son remodeling and building homes. Jack was a devoted husband to his wife, Virginia, until her passing in May 2024. He spent his final months at Bonaventure Retirement Community in Castle Rock, Colorado, moving there to be closer to his children. He will always be remembered for his unwavering devotion to family, the love and pride he had for his children, his sharp wit and intelligence, and his love of history.

Jack is survived by his sisters Carol Lengle and Judy Shaak of Lebanon, PA; sons Timothy T. Warlow Sr. (Vickie Russell) and Christopher C. Warlow (Susan Heineman); daughter COL (Ret.) Ann M. Nayback-Beebe (James Beebe); and stepchildren Eileen C. Moyer (Glenn Moyer) and Scott W. Fisher. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends who will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Virginia; son John J. Warlow III; parents and stepparents John J. and Lora Warlow Sr., Bernice and George Guare Sr.; brother George Guare Jr.; and brothers-in-law Edmund Lengle and Irving Shaak.