John W. Aldridge Sr.

John William Aldridge, Sr., went home to be with Jesus on June 19th at 9:15AM at his home with family alongside him. John is survived by his son John William Aldridge Jr., (wife, Stephanie) daughter Bette Wagner, (husband, Richard), and daughter Linda McCullough (Deseased) (husband John). And, John Aldridge is survived by seven grandchildren (Johnny, III. deceased) and six great grandchildren. At seventeen, John graduated from Chicago’s Lane Technical High School and began working for Union Special Corporation the following Monday morning. During his first years with Union Special, John attended night school four evening a week and obtained his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University and a master degree in business administration (MBA) from the prestigious University of Chicago. John career spans decades of international business travel as an executive officer as well as, community service including eleven years on the school board of district 401 including a period as president. Other accomplishments include, member of Elmwood Park Presbyterian church, Oak Park Country Club, and past president of the Manufacturing Manager’s Association (MIMA). John served in the Navy (Merchant Marines) during WW II where he saw active duty in the Pacific theater. John was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Commander with a chief engineer’s license which covered both steam and diesel, unlimited horsepower and tonnage on any ocean. The license has no expiration date. Prior to joining the Navy, John worked on the top-secret Manhattan Project, and immediately after the war, he even ran bananas between Machala, Ecuador and the United States. John was a real renaissance man. Happy Homecoming! You are much loved, appreciated and dearly missed.