Jack Gradolph Obituary

Gradolph, Jack Waters

Jack W. Gradolph of Niceville, FL passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 28, 2024 at age 97. He was born on November 10, 1926 in Fort Pierce Florida.

In 1944, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy he served aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16) during WWII. After the war Jack worked for NCR Corp & Feltz Office Supply in Dayton, OH, raising his family in Beavercreek. Upon retirement, Jack and his wife Libbie took every opportunity to travel abroad on long adventures and purchased a camper to travel the United States. Together they made the effort to visit friends and family while making many new and long-term friends along the way. They also planned their travels around the USS Lexington reunions, often bringing family along to celebrate the memories and share their stories.

Everyone who knew Jack, knew his love for airplanes and ships. He often planned visits to air and navy museums, air shows and followed the Blue Angels. He loved to share these experiences with friends and family.

Jack is survived by his wife of 73 years, Libbie Gradolph; their three children, Nancy (Tom) Disinger, Andy (Jodi) Gradolph, and Paul Gradolph; grandchildren, Kate and Will Disinger, Danielle Siler (Shannon Henne), Chelsea (Mason) Harmon, Megan (Jared) Boss, Katelynn (Kyle) Milner and great grandchildren, Mason and Makai Harmon. Josephine and Mack Boss and McKenna Milner. Jack is preceded in death by his mother Kathryn (Kate) and stepfather Herman Gradolph, brother Bob Gradolph.

Thank you to the staff and residents of The America House in Niceville where Jack lived since its opening, and to the staff of The Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center who cared for Jack in his final months.

There will be a private service for family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jack's honor to The USS Lexington Museum or to Honor Flight.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Dayton Daily News from Feb. 10 to Feb. 11, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Gradolph

2 Entries

Michael T Gallaher

March 30, 2024

Dear Andy and family,

I am sorry for your loss but know that your dad was awesome! The few times that I spent with him, he treated me like a million bucks! Several memories include Mr. Gradolph going sailing and of course picking the most placid day of the year where our boat just sat there in the lake. But your dad was so optimistic that the wind would eventually pick up and scoot us around the water. Unfortunately, the wind remained calm but your dad regaled us with some WWII navy tales which have stuck with me all my life.

Another Jack Gradolph fact that I remember of how much he loved watching the Bob Hope Christmas specials when Bob performed in front of the troops. Just hearing him talk about Bob Hope made me laugh.

And Andy, your dad was quite skilled to be able to build the addition to the back of your house. The couple of times that I have been involved in a remodeling project, I called in the contractors. Not your Dad, by golly, he did all by himself with a little help from you and Paul and some gentle guidance from a licensed electrician. And, the addition looked great!

And my finale memory of your dad was how much he loved VW's and German engineering! When your Dad picked us up one cold day after we went ice skating (which to this day, I am awful at), my feet were freezing but he cranked up the old VW's heater and it was like my feet entered a sauna with your dad smiling ear-to-ear.

Andy, guys like us were blessed having great fathers. Your dad was a good guy for treating me like a human being vs the snotty nose teenager that I was. Hopefully I learned a little about raising four daughters from fathers like we had growing up.

Hope all is well with you and your family. Rest assured though, when it comes to your dad, he was a loving caring soul.

Kind Regards,

Mike Gallaher
Nashua, NH
Cell: 603.608.8976