John Thomas Sexton Jr.

1931 - 2016

John Thomas Sexton Jr.

1931-2016

John "Jack" Thomas Sexton Jr., 85, CTRCM, USN (Ret.) passed away peacefully on October 11, 2016 after a six-week illness. He was born on August 4, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts to John and Mary Sexton and was raised in Roslindale and Foxborough, Massachusetts. Following graduation from Foxborough High School in 1949, he enlisted in the Navy and became a Cryptologist. He served in the Korean War on the USS New Jersey (BB-62) and USS Wisconsin (BB-64). His 24-year naval career included tours in Wahaiawa, Hawaii; Skaggs Island, California; Adak, Alaska; Imperial Beach, California; Agana, Guam; Winter Harbor, Maine; Sidi Yahia, Morrocco; Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico; and finally Pensacola, Florida. While stationed in Hawaii, he met and married his wife of 38 years, Ann Louise Reardon. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1972 as Command Master Chief, Naval Communications Training Center Corry Field, he was employed by Bendix Field Engineering, eventually relocating with his family to Ellicott City, Maryland until his final retirement in 1991.

He returned to Pensacola, Florida following his wife's death in 1990. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening and watching his favorite football team, the New England Patriots. As an avid gardener, he produced an abundance of vegetables and took pleasure in sharing them with others. He is preceded in death by his wife Ann, father John Sexton, mother Mary Sexton and sister Mary Dinneen. He is survived by his sister Evelyn Gasster, eight children: John Sexton (Amy), Colleen Gurene, Kathy Wendel (Len), Patty Babcock (Dave), Teresa Loper (Steve), Mike Sexton (Anne), Laura Marks (Bo), Dan Sexton (Cameron); and eighteen grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Bella. Oak Lawn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

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