John Loren Klippel

John Loren Klippel, 66 of Lawrenceville, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024. He was a native of Camp Hill, PA. John was the glue that held the Gwinnett Tech Photography Program together. He ran the lab, mastered the printers and computers, and probably taught more photography to the students for many years than the "instructors" themselves. He was selfless in sharing his knowledge, and was truly loved by the students.

He loved Golf, Penn State Football, Indy Car & Formula 1 Racing, Civil War history, The Atlanta Braves and anything related to space and the NASA program and even went to California for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and met several NASA pioneers, including astronauts (his hero) Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke and Walter Cunningham.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Phillip and Jean Madden Klippel, and his sister, Janet Rogers.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Tammy Dunagan Klippel of Lawrenceville; a brother, Jim Klippel of Enola, PA; a sister, Judy Blessley (Dick) of Dillsburg, PA; and 28 nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A visitation for family and friends will be held, Saturday, August 24, 2024 from noon until 2:00pm at Smith Funeral Home, 755 Atlanta Hwy SE, Winder, GA. A Celebration of John's life will follow in Smith Memory Chapel at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Battlefield Trust at Battlefields.org.

"The stars don't look bigger, but they do look brighter"

Astronaut Sally Ride