John Thomas Molnar

John Thomas Molnar passed away on December 21, 2025, at the age of 94. He was born on April 15, 1931, to Thelma Powell Molnar and John Andrew Molnar, whom he now joins in eternal rest. True to the way he lived, John fought bravely and with dignity until the very end.
John leaves behind his beloved wife of 72 years, Lorraine Madzy Molnar, his high school sweetheart and lifelong partner. Together, they built a life grounded in love, loyalty, and shared purpose.
They were blessed with two children: Dr. John T. Molnar, Jr. (Chris, deceased) and Lori (Bob) Schafer. John was a proud grandfather to Jessica Molnar Reed (Dr. Davis Reed) and a devoted great-grandfather to Casey Reed, who brought him great joy.
John grew up in Monessen, Pennsylvania, where he developed a strong work ethic and deep self-reliance. After serving honorably in the Korean War, he returned home, married Lorraine, and began building his life. He later moved to Youngstown, Ohio, and then to Boardman, Ohio, where he built a home and raised his family.
John spent his entire professional career at The Standard Slag Company, later acquired by LaFarge, Inc., ultimately serving as Director of Technical Services for the U.S. Region. While working full time, raising a family, and playing in bands on weekends to support his family, John attended nine years of night school for a degree in civil engineering at Youngstown University, graduating first in his class. He received the Dean Louis A. Deesz Award, the university’s highest student engineering honor, presented annually by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers based on scholastic achievement and faculty selection.
Professionally, John was widely respected in civil and materials engineering. He held leadership roles and offices within numerous professional organizations, including ASTM, the Society of Professional Engineers, the Ohio Aggregates Association, and other state and national engineering and materials societies. He helped originate the Ohio Aggregates Association Quality Control Workshop and worked closely with the Ohio Department of Transportation, influencing industry standards and mentoring generations of engineers and technicians.
John possessed extraordinary raw intellect and analytical ability, paired with an uncommon capacity to apply knowledge in practical ways. Long before earning his engineering degree, he developed a reputation for mastery across disciplines. Between his vocational training and engineering expertise, he was known as someone who could build or fix virtually anything—electrical systems, mechanical equipment, construction projects, and complex technical problems alike. It was often said that if John couldn’t fix it, it couldn’t be fixed.
Later in life, John and Lorraine retired to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to be near their grandchild, embracing a chapter filled with family, music, and community.
A lifelong learner, John taught himself to play the trumpet at the age of nine, quickly developing a beautiful and distinctive tone. Even at that young age, he was asked to play Taps for the families of deceased World War II soldiers, a responsibility he carried with quiet dignity and respect. He became an accomplished musician who could both read music and play by ear, effortlessly hearing a piece and reproducing it on his trumpet. John played in many bands throughout his life and, most recently, performed with the North Myrtle Beach Concert Band, Festive Brass Band, The Stardusters, and the Briarcliffe Saints, continuing to perform until the age of 89. He also had the rare opportunity to play with Sammy Davis, Jr., who played John’s trumpet.
John’s curiosity extended far beyond his profession. His many interests included woodworking, electronics, ham radio, CB radio, photography, tropical fish, fishing, camping, tennis, skiing, golf, and even bike riding well into his 80s with Lorraine by his side.
Above all, John was devoted to his family. He cherished time spent together, especially fishing and camping trips to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. He was brilliant at mathematics and often taught his children advanced calculus while they were still in high school, patiently guiding them through the derivation of integrals and derivatives.
John never met an animal he didn’t love. Dogs were a constant presence throughout his life, and every one of them seemed to know they were safe, understood, and adored.
John served on the Briarcliffe Acres Association Board of Directors and was an active member of King of Glory Lutheran Church, where he shared his faith through music, playing trumpet and singing in the choir.
John Thomas Molnar will be remembered for his integrity, intelligence, generosity, and lifelong commitment to learning, problem-solving, family, and service. His legacy lives on in the people he taught, the problems he solved, the music he played, and the family he loved so deeply.
A Celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date to be announced. Burial will be private for family only.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Myrtle Beach Humane Society, King of Glory Church, or one of the local bands in his memory.