John attended grade school in Fort Mill, SC and graduated from Fort Mill High School in May of 1944. He furthered his education at Clemson Agricultural College in Clemson, SC for one year, and then enlisted in the US Navy until the end of World War II. John then returned to Clemson College and graduated in January of 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Medicine.
His career began with Springs Cotton Mill in Lancaster, SC. He later joined EI DuPont Company Technical Laboratory in Carneys Point, NJ as a research chemist. It was there that he met his wife, Sonia Jean Dilks, of Swedesboro, NJ. They were married on May 4, 1956. John was transferred to Charlotte in 1965 and retired in 1989 from the Chemical Sales Division of EI Dupont.
A charter member of St. Stephen United Methodist Church, John was involved in the formation of the first Boy Scout Troop. He remained an active church and Fellowship Sunday School class member until his death.
John loved rocking on the porch at Sunset Beach, researching genealogy, reading and being with his family. His gentle spirit and sweet smile will be missed by all who knew him.
Surviving John are his wife, Sonia; his son,, Chris (Jan) of Cary, NC; his son, David (Bertha) of Charlotte, NC; his four granddaughters, Chandler (Carley) of New York City, Amanda of Raleigh, Blair of Raleigh and Brittany of Cary; and his brother, William Robert (Bob) Walker of Fort Mill; as well as many special nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service in celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 p.m., on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at St. Stephen United Methodist Church, with visitation to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Stephen United Methodist Church Building Fund, 6800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270.
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