John Harry Pels III, 91, of Austin passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2017. He was born on June 20, 1925 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to John Harry Pels, Jr. and Josephine Conway Pels.
He was educated in Temple, Texas through Junior College and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. John obtained his Mechanical Engineering Degree at the University of Colorado and Electrical Engineering Degree from the Naval Post Graduate School. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and earned his U.S. Naval Aviator Wings in 1951.
John married Patricia Bassett in 1947 and together saw their four children through college degrees. He owned his own Electrical Service Company in Austin after 16 years of active military service and 23 years as an Electrical Engineer with major corporations in the electronics industry.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Patricia and sisters, Elysabeth Hall and Jo Anne DeMaio. He will be sadly missed by his beloved children, Bruce J. Pels and wife Laura, Sandra L. Harris and husband, Mike, Peter M. Pels and wife Diane, and Lucinda P. Anderson and husband Matt; 8 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
Private Family Services will be held at a later date.