Edward Franklin John, Jr.'s Obituary
Edward F. John, 89, of Lewes, passed away at home on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. He was born in Pottstown, PA, son of the late Edward F. John, Sr., and Dorothy Kathryn (Shanaman) French, John.
Ed was predeceased by his sister, Margaret S. (John) Swavely and his brother Richard M. John. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, N. Claudette (Rondum) John of Lewes, DE; Melanie G. (John) DeBlase, McGarry of Reading, PA; Amy D. (John) Healy of Douglassville, PA; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Ed graduated from North Coventry High School in 1953 and earned a diploma from Reading Business Institute in June 1955. He went to work immediately thereafter in the Berks County Trust Investment Department.
Ed Joined Gudebrod, Inc., a specialty textile company with manufacturing in Pottstown, in Dec. 1956, learning the business from the ground up. He worked for the company for 49 years, becoming the only non-family president and CEO. He retired in 2005, remaining Chairman of the Board of Directors for three years.
Ed actively contributed to every community in which he lived. As a teenager he was an assistant scout master, and his interest in archery prompted him to organize what eventually became the Frontier Archery Club in South Coventry. Ed was a member of Stichter Lodge #254 F&AM in Pottstown and a past high priest of the Pottstown Royal Arch #27. He was a member of the Rajah Shrine, the 32nd degree Scottish Rite, and the Pottsgrove High Twelve #321.
Ed was an avid hunter with bow and arrow, shotgun, and rifle. He fished fresh and salt water, and his family ate everything he shot and caught. He was a gifted athlete: a high scoring bowler, a consistent winner in competition archery —instinctive, no sights — and in skeet.
Ed began shooting skeet in his 50s at Cacoosing Gun Club, in Birdsboro, PA, and continued that interest after moving to Lewes, joining the Salisbury Gun Club in MD. He has many trophies, medals, and awards from local and state competitions. He not only won many tournaments but loaded shells in all four gauges and developed his own specialty shotgun loads. Mentoring his peers and teaching and supporting youth programs were the important gifts of Ed’s later years. He taught and coached anyone who asked for help.
As an active member of Conley’s UMC in Lewes, DE, Ed was on the Staff Parish Relations Committee and later Church Council. He was Chairman of Council until he became too ill to serve. He was a strong supporter of Camp Hope, a summer enrichment program for underprivileged children begun by Conleys.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Conley’s UMC, 33106 Jolyns Way, Lewes, DE, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10:00 AM.
A memorial service will be held in PA at St. John’s UCC, 57 St. John’s Road, Birdsboro, PA, 19508 on Saturday, Jan 11, 2025, visitation,10 a.m. service at 11.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Camp Hope C/O Conley’s UMC, https://www.conleysumc.org/camp-hope .
Please sign Ed's Tribute wall at this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024, TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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