John Edward Grider, age 95, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on October 29, 2025. Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, John spent his early years in Frankfort, Kentucky, and Tallahassee, Florida.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. After his discharge, John attended Florida State University on the GI Bill, where he earned a degree in chemistry and met the love of his life, Clelia. Together, they built a life filled with love and adventure—beginning in New York and later settling in Huntsville, where John became part of the U.S. rocket program.
John devoted 35 years to Morton Thiokol, serving as Program Manager for solid rocket motor design in support of various military defense systems—a career he deeply cherished. He was a devoted father and mentor, admired for his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering love for family. His hobbies included gunsmithing and woodworking, and his happiest moments were spent in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, especially Cades Cove, surrounded by those he loved. He treasured sharing these times with family spanning four generations.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Allan and Bertha; his wife, Clelia; sister, Edith; brother, Sonny; and granddaughter, Riley. He is survived by his brother, Doug; sister, Jean; children, David and Lee; granddaughters, Stephanie, Olivia, Bridgette, and Natalie; and great-granddaughters, Riley and Evelyn.
John’s legacy lives on in the family he loved and the work he helped advance.
Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The service will follow in the chapel with the Rev. Chris Martin officiating. Burial will be in Huntsville Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.
