John Carl De Vitto

1942 - 2016

Retired LTC John Carl De Vitto, 73, died peacefully on Father's Day, Sunday, June 19, 2016 in Charlotte, NC surrounded by his loving family. He served our country as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces for over 23 years, graduating from The United States Military Academy at West Point in 1965 and earning a Master of Science Industrial Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1971. During his military career, he earned the Army Service Ribbon, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (4), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

John served in Europe, Canada, Asia and the United States. His last military assignment was at Duke University in Durham, NC as the Chair of the Military Science Department. After retirement, he transitioned to a career in higher education and worked at UNC-Chapel Hill, the University of Pittsburgh, Lehman College, and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). Most recently, John retired from South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) on December 31, 2015. In addition to the South Piedmont Community College Maureen De Vitto Nursing Scholarship that he endowed in memory of his wife, the DeVitto Nursing Lab was dedicated by the College in April 2016. John received an honorary degree from SPCC in May 2016.

Preceding him in death, after fighting pancreatic cancer for 21 months was his wife, the love of his life and his inspiration, Maureen Frances McGann De Vitto, his loving parents John Michael and Ann Deisler, his in-laws Gerard and Anita McGann and his sister-in-law, Kathy Cajigas.

Survivors include his sister, Sr. Regina De Vitto, Congregation of Notre Dame, four daughters, Jean De Vitto (Beverly); Debra Dunbar (Sean), Katie O'Connor (Colin), Amy English (Mike) and two sons, John Gerard De Vitto (Tammy) and Michael De Vitto (Nicole) and seven grandchildren; Julia, Evan, James, Delaney, Ryan, Brogan and Hope.

Also surviving John are his brothers-in-law, Kevin McGann (Lynne) and David McGann (Louise) and nephews, Christopher, Matthew and David.

In honor of John's service, integrity and unconditional kindness to others, the family has designated Heaven on Earth for Veterans (http://www.heavenonearth4veterans.org/donate), the South Piedmont Community College Maureen De Vitto Nursing Scholarship Fund (http://www.spcc.edu/support-spcc/) or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://www.pancan.org) for memorial contributions in lieu of flowers.

The family will greet friends from 12-2pm on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Leavitt Funeral Home in Wadesboro, NC. A mass of Christian burial and interment with full military honors will be held at The United States Military Academy in West Point, NY at 1:30pm on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.

Local arrangements are in the care of Leavitt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com.