ENDICOTT, John Edgar

John Edgar Endicott, Ph.D. August 9, 1936 - June 22, 2024

John was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 9, 1936. He attended Western Hills High School and graduated in 1954 and attended The Ohio State University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude, and Valedictorian. His devotion to military service started at Ohio State as an Air Force ROTC Cadet. After his graduation, his Air Force active service started May 1958. He had a 28 year decorated career in the United States Air Force (USAF) which included operational tours in Japan, Hawaii, (PACAF Headquarters), Vietnam, and Omaha, Nebraska (SAC Headquarters); tours at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, D.C., and the National Defense University (Associate Dean of Academics, National War College, Director of Research (NDU), and Founding Deputy Director for the Institute for National Strategic Studies (NDU) with almost eight years of Foreign Service.

His decorated USAF career included the following awarded medals:

- Defense Superior Service Medal

- Legion of Merit Medal

- Bronze Star

- The Meritorious Service Medal

- Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster

- Department of the Army Civilian Achievement Medal

After his military career, he was approached by Georgia Institute of Technology to become the Founding Director of the Center for International Strategy, Technology and Policy, and served as a professor for the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs where he spent 18 years until 2007. In 2007, he was sought by a Korean university (Woosong University) to become co-president of that institution. He was given the special assignment of establishing an all- English language business college. He became the sole president of the university in January 2009 and the only foreign president among the 202 Korean 4-year universities and ultimately creating a college of liberal arts and social sciences named after him: The Endicott College of International Studies at Woosong University. Dr. Endicott served with the university until August 2021. In 1991 he introduced the concept for a Limited Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone in Northeast Asia (LNWFZ-NEA) which continues to be examined in international forums. Both Dr. Endicott and the Limited Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone in Northeast Asia (LNWFZ-NEA) Program were nominated for the 2005 and 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Education: Ohio State University, BS; University of Nebraska at Omaha, MS; and the Fletcher School at Tufts University, MS, Ph.D.

John Endicott was a published author with five books on security and foreign policy and one book of his memoirs called Destined to Serve. A few of his favorite things were family gatherings, mincemeat pie, Christmas pudding, lemon curd, and peanut butter. He was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan, reader of history, world travel enthusiast and loved the annual family bowling tournament. He believed the best thing that he ever did in life was to marry his wife of 64 years, Mitsuyo, from Tokyo, Japan. He is survived by his wife, Mitsuyo (Mitchy); adult children, daughter, Charlene Endicott Noble (Greg) and their children, Alexandra Noble, Kayleigh Noble Saxon (Jeremy), Nicholas Noble (Jordan); and great-grandchild Harlo Saxon; and son, John Endicott, II (Virginia) and their son, Jack.

Funeral services are scheduled for 12:00 PM, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from the Chapel of South Canton Funeral Home with Pastor Steven Bonham officiating. Interment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 27, 2024 with Honors presented by the United States Air Force.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the South Canton Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made to the American Heart Association ( www.heart.org ) or the American Cancer Society in his memory. ( www.cancer.org )

South Canton Funeral Home, dedicated to the families we serve, 770-479-3377. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.thescfh.com.

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

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jun. 26, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for John Endicott

Sponsored by South Canton Funeral Home.

11 Entries

John R McIntyre

July 13, 2024

May I express my deep condolences to Prof. John Endicott's family, friends and colleagues. John was a colleague, a friend, and a collaborator over many years at Georgia Tech. I learned much from him and our joint program efforts were always rewarded with successful outcomes, owing to his guidance and clarity of vision. John was a significant scholar, a gentleman, an officer and a great professor. His work on denuclearization in Asia led to many recognitions one of which was a doctorate honoris causa from the Universite de Toulouse in France, an institution I know well. When John became President of a new university, Woosong University, in Daejeon, S. Korea, he extended an offer to me to join him. I 've always regretted not to have done so. We remained in touch as I watched his steady and innovative leadership in making this institution a top one in Asia. I was happy to note that the University has established an Endicott College of International Studies. Many fond memories and thank you for the lasting and positive impacts you had on so many, in so many countries. John McIntyre

Paula and George Peterson

July 4, 2024

John's passing is a loss for humanity. He truly made the world a better place!
Our best wishes to the Endicott family as they work through the grieving process.
Paula and George Peterson

Jeffrey Miller

July 4, 2024

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Endicott. I had the honor and privilege of teaching alongside of him for over 11 years at SolBridge, co-teaching history classes. I also had the honor of editing his memoirs, Destined to Serve, which allowed me to get to know him better and all his accomplishments. He was the face and soul of SolBridge and his accomplishments will never be forgotten. He was not only my colleague, but he was also one of my closest friends at SolBridge. I will cherish the memories of the classes we taught and our discussions about Korea in his office. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his wife and family and to all those who knew this remarkable man and human being.

Dr. Temple Uwalaka

July 4, 2024

Dr Endicott was a great leader. He was always present during my MBA programme at Solbridge. He loved the students and passionately carried out his duties.
He will be sorely missed. Soyonara, Solbridge's Servant President.

Bishop Rutherford I

July 3, 2024

Remembrances of Dr. Chev. John Edgar Endicott, President of Woosong University, Air Force Colonel, and Knight Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle
Personal remembrances by H.H. Bishop Rutherford I of Rome-Ruthenia
https://www.ilnunzioromano.org/2024/07/remembrances-of-dr-chev-john-edgar.html

Dr. Michel Delorme

July 3, 2024

Dear Mitchy and family,
I had the honor to serve under the leadership of Dr. John Endicott when he was first the Acting Dean and Vice Chancellor of SolBridge International School of Business. He then became the President of Woosong University. I will always remember a nice gentleman with whom I had interesting discussions on business education issues and family. He truly was a mentor for me and I always wanted to follow his example. Thank you John for what you have done for thousands of students, faculty and staff. RIP.
Dr. Michel Delorme
Dean, Sobey School of Business
Saint Mary's University (Canada)

R. Bruce Laudermilk

July 3, 2024

As a person he was always Bigger than what ever title he held. He will be missed and forever remembered by those who knew him!

Sangjik Jung

June 28, 2024

I couldn't help but be sad to hear the news of Dr.Endicott's death. He was a true scholar and a great president of Woosong University. I would like to express my sincere condolences to family. And I wish Dr. Endicott eternal rest under the protection of God.

Katja Weber

June 27, 2024

Dear Mitchy and family,
I am saddened to learn of John's passing. He was a true gentleman, a kind, passionate person with a big heart. He always strove to make the world a better place and was a joy to interact with. John was also a great story-teller and I enjoyed my numerous conversations with him over the years. He will be greatly missed.

Fei-Ling Wang

June 27, 2024

Very sorry to hear John's passing. My deepest condolence to Michy and family. From my first meeting him at the NDU back in the late-1980s when I was just starting my graduate study and touring the "real world" of the practitioners, my last seeing him in South Korea a few years ago at Woosong University where he was the president, to our last email exchange just a few months ago, he was always a gracious and kind mentor and colleague, and a true gentleman. He served his country exemplarily, contributed tremendously to the establishment and growth of the Nunn School and particularly CISTEP, and promoted well the good name of Georgia Tech. He will be deeply missed by many.

American Heart Association

June 26, 2024

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

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