John Patrick Kardian

John Patrick Kardian came into the world earlier than expected on March 17, 1969, and departed it in the same way on February 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and ending a battle against severe pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease.

Born on St. Patrick's Day 1969 in Richmond, VA, Patrick was the first born of Frank and Barbara. Had he been born any other day, he would've been named John Andrew, but Irish eyes were smiling and our favorite leprechaun was hatted. Patrick was a stereotypical big brother to Katie and Andy, taunting them constantly as the family moved around the country for Frank's career with Westinghouse. They lived in Richmond, Littleton, CO, Anderson, SC and Pittsburgh, PA. Patrick graduated from North Allegheny High School in 1987.

Patrick went to work at an early age and talked fondly of his jobs at a local movie theater and McDonald's in Anderson. While a student at the University of Maryland, he worked as a bank teller and resident assistant, allowing him to earn coveted spending money for purchases like a first-generation laser disc player and sectional couch for his dorm room. (Being an early adopter of all technology carried forward to the end of his life as he wanted his Apple TV, Meta glasses and virtual reality goggles in the hospital with him.) His formative work experiences set the stage for Patrick's incomparable work ethic.

Patrick met the love of his life, Jen, at a party in his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house at Maryland. Jen invited Patrick to her sorority hayride and soon thereafter the couple was inseparable. They married on April 30, 1994, at the University of Maryland Memorial Chapel with many of their fraternity brothers and sorority sisters on hand to celebrate their love story.

Patrick and Jen built a nearly 32-year marriage based on love, respect and true partnership. They were bitten by the travel bug and committed to seeing the world together, which they did, visiting places they'd dreamed of including Italy, France, Spain, Cambodia and Thailand. They also enjoyed sharing Patrick's favorite things like movies, wine tasting, tennis and great food (most of all sushi).

Following a fight against Hodgkin's Disease, Patrick and Jen decided they wanted to become parents. Through the wonder of science and in vitro fertilization, they welcomed their daughter, Caroline, in July 2004. Patrick was a fiercely loving and dedicated dad. He beamed with pride at every one of Caroline's accomplishments, large or small. He was her most fervent fan as she excelled in lacrosse and was front row for every game possible from youth lacrosse to high school to college. Patrick coached Caroline's youth soccer team, shared his love of movies and 80s music with her and even planned a surprise two-week spring break trip to Asia for her and Jen when Caroline was studying Japanese in middle school. He wanted to give her the world, and he did.

A most dedicated and consummate professional, Patrick worked for the last 10 years at Deloitte as a project manager. His attention to detail and obsessive-compulsive tendencies made him a spreadsheet wizard. (Patrick project managed the heck out of his illness as well.) He took his job very seriously and was largely defined by his professional pursuits. He prided himself on building successful client relationships, many of which turned into prized friendships. Patrick's colleagues say he was the best at organizing team dinners at fabulous restaurants and was quick to inject fun into the workday whether it was delivering king cakes for his favorite Fat Tuesday holiday or supplying toys and Playdoh at meetings to engage the team.

Patrick is preceded in death by his dad, Frank. He is survived by his wife Jen; daughter Caroline; mom Barbara; sister Katie; brother Andy; sister-in-law Kelly; nephews Landon, Miles and Jameson; mother-in-law Judy; parents in-law Terry and Cynthia; sister-in-law Stefanie and brother-in-law Derek; nieces Darby and Harper; sister-in-law Lauren and brother-in-law Brian, and a multitude of extended family and dear friends whose lives were made brighter by knowing him.

Please consider donations to Blood Cancer United (https://givenow.bloodcancerunited.org) in honor of Patrick and other family members' battles against blood cancers.

The family also encourages anyone able to donate blood to do so please go to www.redcrossblood.org to find a location near you.

A private celebration of Patrick's life will be held in the coming weeks.