John Milton Cypherd Jr.

John Milton Cypherd Jr., [83], of Knoxville, TN, passed away peacefully at home Friday, November 24, 2023. John was born in Peru, Indiana to John Milton Cypherd Sr. and Iva Mae Hanger. His mother passed away of cancer when he was just a young boy. His father remarried Jean Sharp Ward and she raised his children as her own.

John was a very talented athlete in high school and college. He lettered in both basketball and track when he graduated in 1959 from Peru High School in Peru, Indiana. After high school, he attended his beloved Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana where he played basketball for the Purdue Boilermakers and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1964. Shortly thereafter, he proudly enlisted and served for over six years with the U.S. Army.

The years that followed lead to many new adventures. In 1970, John moved to West Palm Beach, Florida and was named the youngest Vice President for a nationwide infrastructure construction company called Burnup & Sims. A few short years later he met and married the love of his life of 46 years, Peggy Sue. They moved to Orlando, Florida and started their own engineering and construction company called STS, Inc., raised five children, and spent many wonderful years with cherished friends in the Bay Hill Country Club Community. In 1994, they retired and moved to the mountains of North Carolina where they resided for several years between the Sapphire Lakes and Kenmure Golf Communities and made priceless friendships along the way. In 2016, they made their final move to Knoxville, TN to be closer to family. John was an avid sports fan, golfer, fisherman, and a diehard Boilermaker Alumni. He was a huge supporter of Purdue University Athletics and a long-time honorary John Purdue Club Member. He was active in each community he was a part of throughout the years and passionate about giving back. John would be the first to donate to a fundraiser or volunteer for an event. He was an active member with the Community Church of Tellico Village.

John was preceded in death by his parents: Iva Mae Hanger Cypherd, John Milton Cypherd Sr., and Step Mother Jean Ward Cypherd, sisters: Joan Fites and Judy Potts, and Wife, Margaret S Cypherd. John is survived by his children: Kathryn Nagy and husband Philip of Knoxville, TN; Christopher Cypherd and wife Ronda of Orlando, FL; Robert G. Cypherd and wife Gail of Fishers Island, NY; John M. Cypherd III and wife Stacey of Tampa, FL; Sonya Gauer of Orlando, FL; Lt. Col. Peter Zike and wife Sonia of El Paso, TX; Niece, Bebee Mullen Bugge and husband Adam of Thief River Falls, Minn.; Cousins: Dick Cypherd and wife Judy of West Lafayette, IN; Eileen Cypherd See of Denver, IN; 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Family will receive friends 1-2pm on Saturday, December 9 at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with a service to immediately follow. Afterwards, please join us for a reception and time of fellowship.

The family has designated Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics for memorial contributions in honor of John Cypherd.

Please make donations payable to Purdue Foundation and mail them to Purdue Foundation, 403 W. Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907 or online at https://connect.purdue.edu/IMOJohnCypherd