John Fay Mcelwee

After a recent diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease followed by a severe fall, Jack McElwee began his final journey. Jack was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on February 5, 1928 and died December 20, 2019. His parents were Fredda May Isett, McElwee, Wise and John Fay McElwee, Sr. He was raised by his grandparents who made sure he could herd and feed cattle, work in a coal mine, and provide wild game for dinner.

He attended Broadtop High School and graduated from Saxton Liberty High School in Pennsylvannia, and received his B.S and M.S. Degrees from Pennsylvania State University. He earned another M.S. Degree from the University of Southern California, and his M.B.A., and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University.

During World War II, Jack enlisted in the Navy when he was 17 years old. Because electronics technicians were in short supply, he was traded between ships and jeep carriers, once across the open sea between two ships. He served on the Bairoko, Rendova, Boxer, Valley Forge, Tarawa, and the Iowa (for three hours). His home ship was the Bairoko.

After the War, Jack completed college and and entered the Aerospace Industry working for Sperry Gyroscope Company in Great Neck, Long Island, then Goodyear. He moved to California when he was offered a salary twice his Goodyear salary. He worked at Hycon, Spectra Lab, Aerojet, Lockheed, and then General Dynamics.

After a 39 years career as an electronics and systems engineer, he began a new career with the University of La Verne, working as an adjunct and then full time until he retired in 2014. and was awarded the title of Professor of Business Administration Emeritus. When he was at ULV, he was proudest of his role in helping to establish the College of Business and Global Studies. Working for the University of La Verne was the fulfillment of his dream. He always wanted to be a College Professor.

During his career, he co-authored books and articles, holds a number of patents in the field of electronics, performed consulting tasks for the Royal Swedish Navy in underwater weapons and for a number of domestic firms in electromagnetic compatibility. He served as President and Vice President of the Broadtop Alumni Association and President of the IEEE for two years. He was a member of the American Marketing Association, Theta Chi, and an Active Member of the American Legion, Post 755, Charter Oak.

Jack loved to try new things in food and travel. He was an excellent cook and traveled in 73 countries throughout the world. Sports were his passion, baseball, football, basketball. Baseball was his favorite; he was an ardent Dodger fan.

Jack and his wife Joy Obrock McElwee would have celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on April 9, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Joy, his two sons James Barry McElwee and John David McElwee and their wives, Suzanne Bigham McElwee and Kymberle Landry McElwee. He was very proud of his two grandchildren, Allison McElwee and Scott McElwee.