John H. Champion, II, of Naples, in his 100th year, died on October 1, 2015. John was born in Chicago, son of the late John Homer Champion and Georgia DeCrow Champion of LaGrange, Illinois. Growing up in LaGrange, John graduated from Lyons Township High School. He attended LT Junior College and the YMCA College in Chicago and started his career with United Airlines in 1936 at Midway Airport. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps taking a military leave from United. John earned his wings and served as a C-47 pilot in the North African, European and Indian Theaters. John was a highly decorated pilot earning awards in particular from his service in Egypt, Sicily and Southern France
John returned to United following the war and continued his military career in the Air Force Reserve. When he left active duty, he became Commander of the Reserve unit at O'Hare Airport in Chicago and retired from the Air Force a full bird Colonel. John retired from United in 1980 with 43 years of service.
John had a great sense of humor and professed to become a "beachcomber" in retirement. He succeeded. He and Elizabeth spent many wonderful winters at their Maui beachfront condo and enjoyed their Naples, Florida home for many years .
John returned to United following the war and continued his military career in the Air Force Reserve. When he left active duty, he became Commander of the Reserve unit at O'Hare Airport in Chicago and retired from the Air Force a full bird Colonel. John retired from United in 1980 with 43 years of service.
John had a great sense of humor and professed to become a "beachcomber" in retirement. He succeeded. He and Elizabeth spent many wonderful winters at their Maui beachfront condo and enjoyed their Naples, Florida home for many years .
John H. Champion, II, of Naples, in his 100th year, died on October 1, 2015. John was born in Chicago, son of the late John Homer Champion and Georgia DeCrow Champion of LaGrange, Illinois. Growing up in LaGrange, John graduated from Lyons Township High School. He attended LT Junior College and the YMCA College in Chicago and started his career with United Airlines in 1936 at Midway Airport. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps taking a military leave from United. John earned his wings and served as a C-47 pilot in the North African, European and Indian Theaters. John was a highly decorated pilot earning awards in particular from his service in Egypt, Sicily and Southern France
John returned to United following the war and continued his military career in the Air Force Reserve. When he left active duty, he became Commander of the Reserve unit at O'Hare Airport in Chicago and retired from the Air Force a full bird Colonel. John retired from United in 1980 with 43 years of service.
John had a great sense of humor and professed to become a "beachcomber" in retirement. He succeeded. He and Elizabeth spent many wonderful winters at their Maui beachfront condo and enjoyed their Naples, Florida home for many years .
John returned to United following the war and continued his military career in the Air Force Reserve. When he left active duty, he became Commander of the Reserve unit at O'Hare Airport in Chicago and retired from the Air Force a full bird Colonel. John retired from United in 1980 with 43 years of service.
John had a great sense of humor and professed to become a "beachcomber" in retirement. He succeeded. He and Elizabeth spent many wonderful winters at their Maui beachfront condo and enjoyed their Naples, Florida home for many years .
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