Jon S. Artz

Jon S. Artz, Captain (Retired) US Army

Jon S. Artz passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife Suzanne on November 4th 2025, after a long battle with medical issues from his exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam.

Jon was born on March 18, 1937, in Reading, PA. He was the only child of Preston S. and Verna K. Artz.

He made Benicia, CA his home for the last 38 years.

In 1950 he and his parents moved to Akron, Ohio. He attended Buchtel High, graduating in 1955. He then attended the University of Akron, graduating in 1960 with a degree in Speech and Psychology. While at Akron "U" he became active in the ROTC program and participated in the Pershing Rifles Drill team. In 1979 he completed his master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University.

Upon his graduation from Akron U, he received his commission as a 2nd LT in the US Army. His first assignment was at the former FT Ord in Monterey, CA. in 1960. Later assignments included Hawaii for three years, Georgia where he attended the Advance Officers course prior to being sent to Vietnam for his first tour and Seattle Washington for two years.

Upon returning from second tour of duty in Vietnam (one of three), he met his wife Suzanne in San Francisco. They were married at the Fort Scott Chapel in 1973, on the former Presidio of San Francisco Army Base.

While stationed at Ft Bragg in North Carolina from 1978 to 1980, he spent his off-duty time as a volunteer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and as an English tutor for non-English speaking spouses of service men.

Jon's pleasures in life included bowling, playing poker, traveling, especially to Hawaii and a love of music. He and his wife were privileged to travel throughout the world and lived for 1 ½ years in Naples, Italy while he was assigned with the Army to NATO Forces, Southern Europe. While there he taught Sociology courses in criminology part-time at the Navy Base.

He was proud of his service to his country and a life-long patriot. He received the Bronze Star during his second tour of Vietnam and later a Defense Meritorious Service medal. He also proudly wore his combat Infantry Men's Badge for his service as an Infantry Officer during the Vietnam War. His last tour of Vietnam found him there during the last month of the war with the north, evacuating just two weeks before the final fall of Saigon. He was the last of three Army Criminal Investigators to leave in 1975.

After retiring from the Army in 1980 he went to work for the Department of the Navy, at the Concord Naval Weapons Station and later Mare Island in Vallejo as a Criminal Investigator completing his civil service career in 1995 at the Office of Personnel Management.

Friends and family were always amazed at his razor-sharp intelligence and his almost instant recall of trivia. He could be found most mornings first reading the comics, then completing two crossword puzzles which included the New York times. Those who knew him would state you always knew where you stood with Jon, for he spoke his mind but always with tact. He carried himself with dignity until his passing, as the officer he was. He was described by his wife as an enlightened husband far ahead of his generation.

Jon is survived by Suzanne, his loving wife and soul mate of 52 years, daughters Alicia Artz and Michelle Luporini, five grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren with a 7th great granddaughter brewing.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his middle daughter Tamara Artz Rosen.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday November 12th from 4pm to 7 pm at Passalaqua Funeral Chapel in Benicia California. Inurnment and graveside services with full military honors will be held at the Central Coast Veteran's Cemetery in Seaside on a date to be announced. A reception to celebrate his life will follow at a location to be announced at a later date. Passalacqua Funeral Chapel in Benicia is in charge of final arrangements.

Donations in Jon's memory can be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, St Judes Hospital, or animal welfare programs of your choosing.