JOHN COUNCIL

JOHN TAYLOR COUNCIL, JR. GREENSBORO On June 6, 2014, the nation lost one more veteran of World War II. John was born September 12, 1918, in Randleman, NC, to John T. Council, Sr, and Jessie Woollen Council. John attended school in Randleman where he excelled in all sports, and later started a tennis team while a student at Brevard. Inducted into the United States Army Air Force prewar, he served on training bases in Arizona for most of the war, keeping the planes flying. Rising to the rank of Staff Sgt, he served overseas from late 1944 to the end of the war with the 8th air force, flying missions as the flight engineer/upper gunner aboard B-17 bombers. Prewar he worked at Cone Mills. Afterward he went into the sign business with his cousin, Bob Cole. A few years later he started his own business, John Council Signs, working on many projects across the Triad, including the large Jefferson Standard sign seen over many years. Another notable project was the animated neon Santa and reindeer that delighted thousands at the annual Christmas display that used to be shown at the Pilot Life campus. To design and build it he observed deer at a local zoo, just to get their motions right. It was an example of the care he took in his work. John was a selfless, loving man and a good life teacher. He faced death as he did life: calmly and without fear. Anna Virginia (Jinny) Doering Council was his first wife and mother of his three children. After 27 years of marriage Jinny died after a brief illness. Several years later he married Jane Hyde Conner Council. They spent many happy times at the beaches of Emerald Isle where he learned and enjoyed surf fishing and were married for 28 years until Jane's death. John was also preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary C. Westbrook, and brother Addison W. Council. Remembering John are his three children and two step-children: Barbara Council, Katherine Burckley (Bill), J. Taylor Council (Pam Blackwood), Rick Conner (Vicky) and Suzy Conner Handgraaf (Darrel). He will also be remembered by three step grand-children and six great-grand-children as well as numerous friends, nieces and nephews. Forbis and Dick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be a private family service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro NC, 27405, The Feral Cat Assistance Program, P.O. Box 29112, Greensboro, NC 27429 or a charity of the donor's choice.