John Francis Waymouth Jr.

John Francis Waymouth Jr, 99
1926 - 2025
MARBLEHEAD - John, a longtime resident of Marblehead, MA who passed away on August 20th at the age of 99, was described by his late wife of 50 years, Frances O'Bannon Turner Pope Waymouth, as a man of great compassion and courage.
John was predeceased by his father John Francis Waymouth, his mother Margaret Postel Waymouth and his brother Laurens Samuel Waymouth.
John was born an American citizen on May 24, 1926, in Barahona, Dominican Republic. He lived in the Dominican Republic until he was 5 years old; at which time, the depression caused his father to lose his job and they were forced to live with relatives in Puerto Rico.
The depression had a life-long impact on John. He was forever frugal after watching his father rebuild his life while counting on the charity of his family. John lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico for 5 years as his father learned a new profession: accounting. When he was 10 years old, they moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In Baton Rouge, John became a lifelong LSU fan. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and enrolled in college at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. He completed 3 years of study before he was drafted into the army for World War II.
John was a member of the 1st Cavalry Horse Division. He served in the Philippines and the Japanese Occupation force as a signal radio repair man. With this, he realized a love for the emerging field of electronics.
Upon returning from the war, he immediately returned to his university studies and received his undergraduate degree in 1947. He then enrolled at MIT that fall.
John received his Ph.D. in Physics from MIT in 1950. His thesis was on improving the reliability of the vacuum tubes used in the first digital computer. During his years at MIT, he met and married Frances.
John was a devoted husband and father to four children and their spouses: John Francis Waymouth III (Jeff) and his wife Katie, George and his wife Wendy, Anne, and Mark and his wife Lynda. John cared for his wife through numerous illnesses while providing a stable and adventurous life for his family. Summer vacations were often spent sailing the Atlantic coast.
John taught the values of family first, self-reliance, and education through the example he set.
Later in life, John found his second love, Priscilla Bevins, and they enjoyed 13 years together traveling the world and celebrating each other's company. John was a world traveler. He visited all seven continents including a trip to the North Pole on a nuclear-powered ice breaker and a trip to Antarctica.
An avid amateur thespian, John was active in both the Magic Lantern and the Marblehead Little Theater organizations.
Professionally, John brought light to the world as Director of Research for Sylvania. He received 60 patents during his career. He was the world-renowned expert in electric discharge lamps. He authored a book, by that title, which served as the preeminent industry source on the subject for years. The book was translated into 5 different languages. John received global recognition for his achievements, including the Elenbass Award, the Illuminating Engineering Society IES Medal of achievement, and the American Physical Society Will Allis Prize. These are the top awards in his field, and he is the only recipient ever to get all three.
Even with all these professional accomplishments, John felt his greatest accomplishment was the family he nurtured. A favorite saying was "I came to New England a single man and look at me now."
John is survived by his four children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. In addition, John is survived by Priscilla Bevins' children Josh and Beth Bevins as well as the good friends he made at The Bertram house, especially Ron Giroux.
Service Information: There will be a private celebration of life at a later date
Donations can be made to John Bertram House, 29 Washington Square, Salem, MA 01970, or Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.