Photo courtesy of Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg
Leesburg, Virginia
John “Jack” Edward Conjura, 94, of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
John was born on May 19, 1930, in Shamokin, Pa., the eldest child of the late Edward and Mary (Kwartek) Conjura.
Shortly after graduating from Shamokin High School in 1948, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a radioman, embarking on an honorable and distinguished military career spanning 31 years that took him to numerous duty stations and areas of the globe, including Keflavik, Iceland, Naples, Italy, and Gaeta, Italy. In 1949, he was awarded the Royal Order of the Blue Nose for crossing the Arctic Circle while en route to Thule, Greenland. His sea-based duty stations included an Ampion-class repair ship (USS Cadmus), a WW2 amphibious landing ship (LST-533), an Essex-class aircraft carrier (USS Randolph), and a guided missile cruiser (USS Little Rock). John earned several military commendations and achievement ribbons, including the Navy/Marine Corp Achievement Medal, the Navy/Marine Corp Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. John was a patriot serving with merit and distinction. He retired from the Navy as a communications officer with the rank of commander. Following his navy retirement, John went on to work for Electrospace Systems, Incorporated (ESI) for 13 years.
Early in his navy career, John met his wife Louise, who was living in Shamokin and attending nursing school at that time. They married in 1957, the day before John was scheduled to deploy to the North Atlantic. Together they raised three children; Ann, Carol, and John.
After retiring in 1992, John and Louise relocated to Deep Creek Lake in Maryland where they enjoyed many happy years active in the local community and hosting family and friends year-round at their beautiful lakefront home. In his retirement, John frequently vacationed in Italy, sharing his love of the country with his extended family.
John was an active member of the USS Little Rock Association, serving in various leadership positions and played a role in the designation of the USS Little Rock as a museum ship. John additionally petitioned the Navy to continue to honor the history of the Little Rock by giving the name to a new vessel. In December 2017, the name USS Little Rock was bestowed upon LCS-9, a Freedom-class littoral combat ship.
John is survived by his daughter, Carol of Alexandria, Va.; his son, John of Great Mills, Md.; six grandchildren, Justin, Brittany, Blake, Cate, Brett, and Chase; one great-grandson, Jackson; and his sister, Theresa. He was preceded in death by his wife Louise, his daughter Ann, and his brothers Joseph and Edward.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, Va. A service and burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery with a date and time to be determined.
Contributions in John’s memory can be made to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to support the continued preservation of the USS Little Rock.
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John was my boss on USS Little Rock, as well as a dear friend. My wife, Patricia, and I visited John and Louise both in Maryland and in Virginia, and thoroughly enjoyed the comradeship. We had our political differences, but who’s perfect.
Fair winds and following seas, John.
Robert (Bob) Lowell
August 31, 2025 | Casselberry, FL | Friend
Beat the drum slowly and play the pipe lowly at the passing of a good friend and shipmate April 13, 2025. John Conjura, Commander, USN (Ret). We served together in the Navy at the Pentagon and after retirement we shard an office at Electrospace Engineering. It was a tradition that one of us would contact the other every year during the Army-Navy football game. He will be missed and I wish him fair winds and following seas, always. Sleep well my friend.
Dennis Porter
May 26, 2025 | Hampton, VA | Friend
John and I worked together. He with ESI, and I with the Defense Communications Agency. When he retired, we agreed to send each other Christmas cards. We did for a number of years. He was a pleasure to work with.
Robert A Matthews, jr
May 15, 2025 | ASHBURN, VA | Friend
John was my commanding officer in the CNO's communication center in the Pentagon in 1976. After 49 years, I can still remember our first meeting between John, myself, and a fellow RM2 named Bill Shropshire. For some strange reason, I've never forgotten that day; maybe it's because he was such a great guy who, apparently, made an impression on me. RIP Commander.
Ricardo Rodriguez
April 23, 2025 | Springfield, VA | Military
We enjoyed meeting him in Norfolk, VA in 2023. Our condolences to his family.
Kenneth Hermesch
April 22, 2025 | Seneca, KS | Acquaintance
I met John a few years ago at our Little Rock reunion. He was always very engaged in our conversations. The former Secretary of the Navy called him Boss because Sec Mabus served on the Rock in the Communications Department a Junior Officer when John was the Communications Officer. This demonstrated Sec Mabus' respect for John as a leader. He was truly dedicated to continued success of the USS little Rock Association. John will be sorely missed
Don Elliott
April 22, 2025 | Fairfield Glade, TN | Friend
I met him and talked with him at my niece Jennifer Eilertson’s college graduation. He was an outgoing extremely friendly and so easy to get to know and talk to. God bless his family. God certainly gave him a long and good life to live and serve Him.
Sid Eilertson
April 22, 2025 | New Bern, NC | Friend
I salute my brother John who was a highly intelligent individual and also a true Historian who could recall experiences in his life with such detail as though it happened yesterday. He was a kindhearted person and I will miss the
Pearls of Wisdom that he imparted to all.
❤❤ Miss you Big Brother
Theresa Martin
April 22, 2025 | Vienna, VA | Sister
