John Paulk, 86, passed away in Bremerton, Washington April 18, 2017. John was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to John and Viola Paulk. John graduated from the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1953. He was a surface warfare officer, serving on USS Stembel, a World War II-era destroyer; commanded the USS Whippoorwill, a minesweeper homeported in Sasebo, Japan; served on cruisers USS St. Paul and USS Albany.
John was the commissioning Executive Officer on USS Sterett, a guided-missile destroyer. Sterett was built at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and it was while stationed here that John and Elinor fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. In his last job, John was the program manager for the Phalanx close-in air defense system. John retired as a Commander after 22 years of service. He was recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation and campaign medals including those for service in the combat zone off Vietnam.
John then went to work as facilities manager for Fermilab, America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. There, John worked alongside and earned the respect of scientists and engineers from all over the world, including some Nobel Prize recipients.
John retired again after 17 years with Fermilab, to build his dream house on the bank of Hood Canal in Seabeck, Washington. There he became a valued member of the community, husbanding the land and hauling big things in his dump truck, rearranging the landscape with his backhoe, cutting and splitting firewood, and making wonderful things in his woodshop. He generously shared these skills with neighbors and friends throughout the county.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elinor. She was his companion and support throughout their life together. They shared their beautiful home with countless friends and family during their 25 years in Seabeck. Also, surviving are sons: David (Jennifer); John, and Brian (Liz); granddaughter, Sophie; sister, June Barelli; step-grandchildren, Coltyn and Cameryn.
John was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Selda Grauerholz and Ila Schmidt.
Interment with military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington on the afternoon of May 19, 2017. A celebration of life for invited family and friends will be held the following day.
Published in the April 21, 2017 edition of the Kitsap (Bremerton, WA) Sun
John was the commissioning Executive Officer on USS Sterett, a guided-missile destroyer. Sterett was built at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and it was while stationed here that John and Elinor fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. In his last job, John was the program manager for the Phalanx close-in air defense system. John retired as a Commander after 22 years of service. He was recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation and campaign medals including those for service in the combat zone off Vietnam.
John then went to work as facilities manager for Fermilab, America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. There, John worked alongside and earned the respect of scientists and engineers from all over the world, including some Nobel Prize recipients.
John retired again after 17 years with Fermilab, to build his dream house on the bank of Hood Canal in Seabeck, Washington. There he became a valued member of the community, husbanding the land and hauling big things in his dump truck, rearranging the landscape with his backhoe, cutting and splitting firewood, and making wonderful things in his woodshop. He generously shared these skills with neighbors and friends throughout the county.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elinor. She was his companion and support throughout their life together. They shared their beautiful home with countless friends and family during their 25 years in Seabeck. Also, surviving are sons: David (Jennifer); John, and Brian (Liz); granddaughter, Sophie; sister, June Barelli; step-grandchildren, Coltyn and Cameryn.
John was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Selda Grauerholz and Ila Schmidt.
Interment with military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington on the afternoon of May 19, 2017. A celebration of life for invited family and friends will be held the following day.
Published in the April 21, 2017 edition of the Kitsap (Bremerton, WA) Sun
John Paulk, 86, passed away in Bremerton, Washington April 18, 2017. John was born in Coffeyville, Kansas to John and Viola Paulk. John graduated from the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1953. He was a surface warfare officer, serving on USS Stembel, a World War II-era destroyer; commanded the USS Whippoorwill, a minesweeper homeported in Sasebo, Japan; served on cruisers USS St. Paul and USS Albany.
John was the commissioning Executive Officer on USS Sterett, a guided-missile destroyer. Sterett was built at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and it was while stationed here that John and Elinor fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. In his last job, John was the program manager for the Phalanx close-in air defense system. John retired as a Commander after 22 years of service. He was recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation and campaign medals including those for service in the combat zone off Vietnam.
John then went to work as facilities manager for Fermilab, America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. There, John worked alongside and earned the respect of scientists and engineers from all over the world, including some Nobel Prize recipients.
John retired again after 17 years with Fermilab, to build his dream house on the bank of Hood Canal in Seabeck, Washington. There he became a valued member of the community, husbanding the land and hauling big things in his dump truck, rearranging the landscape with his backhoe, cutting and splitting firewood, and making wonderful things in his woodshop. He generously shared these skills with neighbors and friends throughout the county.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elinor. She was his companion and support throughout their life together. They shared their beautiful home with countless friends and family during their 25 years in Seabeck. Also, surviving are sons: David (Jennifer); John, and Brian (Liz); granddaughter, Sophie; sister, June Barelli; step-grandchildren, Coltyn and Cameryn.
John was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Selda Grauerholz and Ila Schmidt.
Interment with military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington on the afternoon of May 19, 2017. A celebration of life for invited family and friends will be held the following day.
Published in the April 21, 2017 edition of the Kitsap (Bremerton, WA) Sun
John was the commissioning Executive Officer on USS Sterett, a guided-missile destroyer. Sterett was built at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and it was while stationed here that John and Elinor fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. In his last job, John was the program manager for the Phalanx close-in air defense system. John retired as a Commander after 22 years of service. He was recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation and campaign medals including those for service in the combat zone off Vietnam.
John then went to work as facilities manager for Fermilab, America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. There, John worked alongside and earned the respect of scientists and engineers from all over the world, including some Nobel Prize recipients.
John retired again after 17 years with Fermilab, to build his dream house on the bank of Hood Canal in Seabeck, Washington. There he became a valued member of the community, husbanding the land and hauling big things in his dump truck, rearranging the landscape with his backhoe, cutting and splitting firewood, and making wonderful things in his woodshop. He generously shared these skills with neighbors and friends throughout the county.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elinor. She was his companion and support throughout their life together. They shared their beautiful home with countless friends and family during their 25 years in Seabeck. Also, surviving are sons: David (Jennifer); John, and Brian (Liz); granddaughter, Sophie; sister, June Barelli; step-grandchildren, Coltyn and Cameryn.
John was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Selda Grauerholz and Ila Schmidt.
Interment with military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington on the afternoon of May 19, 2017. A celebration of life for invited family and friends will be held the following day.
Published in the April 21, 2017 edition of the Kitsap (Bremerton, WA) Sun
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