Jack Willhoit Roe Jr.

Captain Jack Willhoit Roe Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.) of North Potomac, MD, passed away peacefully at his home on March 4, 2025.
Born on June 14, 1945, in Washington, DC, Jack was the son of the late Captain Jack Willhoit Roe, U.S. Navy, and the late Frances Miriam Logan Roe. The family resided on East Broad Street in Falls Church, VA. Jack lived in Northern Virginia throughout his early life, graduating from George Mason High School (Class of 1963). He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967. Earlier that same year, a major snowstorm in Falls Church brought a stranded young woman and her mother to his home, asking to use the telephone. That chance encounter quickly blossomed into romance, leading to their engagement shortly thereafter. Jack's 57-year marriage to the former Mary Louise Mack (ML) began on January 27, 1968. Together, Jack and ML raised their three children, Kathryn, Jason, and Matthew, in North Potomac, MD; Austin, TX; and Charleston, SC. He was a communicant at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Rockville, MD.
Following his graduation from the Naval Academy and commissioning as an Ensign, Jack served in the U.S. Navy for more than 30 years in active and reserve positions. As a Captain, he managed the Naval Reserve Program for the Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In 1976, Jack joined the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). There, his prior experience in Navy nuclear operations significantly advanced the NRC's mission of providing regulatory oversight of licensing programs for operating nuclear power plants as well as advanced nuclear plant designs. For almost 24 years, Jack served in increasingly responsible technical and managerial roles, including as the Commission's Deputy Executive Director for Operations. After retiring from the NRC, Jack continued to apply his technical and managerial expertise to nuclear safety, cybersecurity, and physical security for 26 years through his roles at Scientech, the Nuclear Energy Institute, and Talisman International.
During his distinguished career, Jack earned advanced degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering) and The George Washington University (D.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering). The latter credential established him as a highly respected expert witness in nuclear-related litigation.
Family was always Jack's priority. Having lost his parents early in life, he deeply valued the love and support of his late mother- and father-in-law, Louis and Catharine Mack, to whom he was lovingly devoted.
Jack was predeceased by his parents; his beloved daughter, Kathryn Roe; and two sisters, Judith Laufersweiler (CDR Joseph Laufersweiler) and Nancy Hebdon (Captain Frederick J. Hebdon). He is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Roe; two sons, Jason Roe (Cédric Chaudre) and Matthew Roe (Amanda Borja); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Beyond his professional accomplishments in the nuclear power field, Jack lived life fully. Cruising and traveling were constant joys for the Roes, and he cherished years spent with ML and their children at their beloved vacation home in Ocean City, MD. The carefree atmosphere of Ocean City provided the perfect backdrop for spending time with his brothers-in-law, practicing at the shooting range, enjoying casino slots, or simply relaxing by the water. Jack maintained lifelong bonds with his Naval Academy brothers for nearly six decades attending reunions and epic tailgates at Navy football games.
Jack will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1513 Dunster Rd., Rockville, MD 20854. Reception to follow at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project.