John William Wardlaw, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away June 6, 2016 at his home in the Green Mountain Community of Huntsville, AL. John was born on September 10, 1945, in McComb, MS, to Hugh and Lucy Wardlaw. He graduated from McComb High School and received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University.
Following his father’s death in 1969, John and his wife Jan Kennedy Wardlaw returned to McComb to run the family farm. Following cardiac surgery in 1985, the Wardlaw family dispersed the farm and moved to Huntsville where John returned to his work in Engineering. He had a long and successful career at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing before retiring in 2013.
Following retirement, John was active in Trinity Emergency Response Team, CASA (winterizing homes), and Safety chairman of the Green Mountain Civic League. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church and Aldersgate Sunday School for 30 years. John was an organ donor.
John was a generous and charitable humanitarian, who always reached out to those in need. He was a loving husband to his wife of 48 years and dearly loved his children and their families. He will be deeply missed.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Jan Kennedy Wardlaw; sons, John Bradley Wardlaw and wife Tosha, and William Scott Wardlaw and wife Trina; daughter, Marion Elizabeth “Beth” Wardlaw McKay and husband, Joe; grandchildren, Kennedy, Aiden, Bruce, Grace, Lucy and Abby; brother, Dr. Lee Lyle Wardlaw and family of Memphis, TN; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and family.
Visitation will be from 10:30 to 12 noon Friday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, with a Celebration of Life service following in the chapel. (www.laughlinservice.com)
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
