Jack Pendleton was born October 29, 1940, to Austin P. and Margaret C. Pendleton and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. One of his proudest moments was in 1960 when he joined the United States Air Force. In 1968, after two tours in Vietnam, he returned to Okinawa to marry his longtime love Shizuko (“Susie”) K. Pendleton. It was his great honor to have served his country for over 20 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Upon retirement from the USAF, he settled in Hampton where he worked as a Navy consultant for four years. Jack then joined the Navy Civil Service at Navy Supply Center NOB Norfolk, eventually taking on the role of Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. He was responsible for the quality of life (habitability) contracts he awarded on Navy ships and was known as “Mr. Habitability.” He loved his Navy work as much as his Air Force career and considered it another way to keep serving his country.
Jack always kept busy and had many diverse hobbies through the years from throw net making, to woodworking, to kayaking, to just tinkering around his garage. In recent years he loved bowling, especially with the Sparetime Senior Swingers league. Jack also enjoyed leatherwork and often made gifts for others. He was always happiest when helping or fixing things for others and when passing on his knowledge and ideas.
Jack leaves behind his beloved wife of 50 years, Susie; his daughter, Josephine Wiley and her husband Luke of Virginia Beach, VA; his daughter, Susanna Villines; four grandchildren, Skyler, Madison, Gwenivere, and James Villines of Kennesaw, GA; his sister, Gail Rapoza and her husband Kenneth of Rocky Hill, CT; his sister, Sandra Slawson and her husband Arthur of Aiken, SC; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, November 9, 2018, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home and Memorial Park, with a celebration of Jack’s life to follow. Interment will be held after the service at 3:00 pm at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk.
Friends may also share memories and offer condolences to the family at www.parklawn-woodfh.com.
Jack’s family would like to express gratitude to Jack’s oncology team at Virginia Oncology Associates. The family also gives special thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at Riverside Regional Medical Center for the excellent and compassionate care provided to Jack, and his family, in his last days.
Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia 23666.
