John Leslie Potter

1936 - 2024

John Leslie Potter
05/27/1936 - 03/31/2024
John Leslie Potter, a longtime Benicia resident, nuclear engineer, Naval veteran and pilot, died March 31, 2024 in Vallejo. He was 87.
Born May 27, 1936 in El Paso, Texas, he was accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., graduating in 1958. He was a Weapons Officer on the nuclear submarine USS Mariano G. Vallejo stationed at Mare Island. He retired as a Commander in the Navy,
In 1969, John married Judith Wandell, the widow of his shipmate and friend, John Wandell and mother of four. The family moved to Palo Alto, where John attended Stanford University, earning a master's degree in nuclear engineering and an MBA..
The family settled in Benicia in 1971. He worked for Pacific Gas & Electric Company spending most of the next 25 years in the design and operation of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.
John served as a Blue and Gold Officer interviewing candidates for the U.S. Naval Academy for 38 years and counseled more than 50 students for entrance to the Naval Academy. Talking to young people about their future was one of his passions.
John was a member of Benicia's Finance Committee and served on the School Board. He was a member of the Benicia/Tula Sister City Program. He was a Commissioner on the Solano County Airport Land Use Commission for 8 years. For 15 years he served on the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board as a Trustee and was a member of the Governance Committee.
His love for aviation followed his first flight in El Paso at the age of 13, and he finally acquired his own aircraft at the age of 50. He belonged to the Mount Diablo Pilot's Association since 1975, where he served as president and board member. John established the monthly breakfast and safety meetings and was awarded an honorary membership for his loyal service.
John was preceded in death by his first wife, Priscilla; mother of Jeffrey Potter. He is survived by his wife, Judith; children, Jeffrey (Margee), Christopher (Stephanie), Susan (John), Deborah (Allen) and Timothy (Amy); 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and cousins, Jane (Ron) West, Bill (Linda) Fletcher, Judy Fletcher; and their children.
A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Dominic's Church in Benicia, with a burial on Monday, April 15, at 9:30 a.m., at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, Benicia. Please visit the online tribute at www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation or Doctors Without Borders.