John Louis Janning

John Louis Janning was born on March 30, 1928, in Dayton, Ohio. He was the first-born child of Eugene A. Janning and Freida (Kessen) Janning. He was soon joined by a brother, William (Bill) and a sister, Dorothy. The arrival of another brother, Eugene Jr. (Junior) completed the family. John would ultimately spend most of his life in and around the Dayton, Ohio area.

John was known to friends and family as Jack. He is remembered by all who knew him for his quick wit and ability to tell funny jokes and stories. He would light up a room with his presence. Jack was an inventor, tinkerer, problem-solver, motivational speaker, and was incredibly smart! He was a family man, with a large extensive family, all of whom he loved dearly.

MARRIAGE

Jack often shared the story of how he met the love of his life, Dolores (Dee). Heading home after a dance, Jack and a friend encountered Dee and her friend. This encounter was the beginning of their love story. They were married on November 29, 1952.

FAMILY

Jack and Dee welcomed seven children during their marriage, all of whom attended the grade school at Ascension parish, where they were active members. The children were Kathleen (Kathy), Janet, Theresa, Lawrence (Larry), Thomas (Tom), Richard (Rick) and Jacqueline (Jackie). As the children married and began to grow families of their own, there were eventually sons- and daughters-in-law, sixteen grandchildren and twenty-something great grandchildren added to the family.

EDUCATION

In 1946, Jack by-passed high school graduation and college to concentrate on invention. "I was a rebel back then", he would say. But on Saturday, May 23, 2009, Janning became Wilbur Wright High School's "last graduate" before the school's closing. He donned cap and gown and was rendered practically speechless as he accepted his high school diploma, 63 years after the rest of his high school class.

On May 2, 2015, during commencement, Wright State University awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to John Janning, an honor he truly cherished. He encouraged other graduates to think big and follow their dreams. "Life is too short to play it small," he said.

WORK / CAREER

If you knew Jack, you know that he was a dedicated hard worker. One of his first jobs was as a salesman driving a truck for Whites Baking Company...the breadman! After only a few months on that job, Jack entered the U.S. Army, in October 1950, where he served two years as Corporal in the 102nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division, during the Korean conflict. During his service, Jack was stationed in Germany, and he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal.

From 1955 through 1960, Jack ran a part-time TV repair/service business from his home.

His professional career began in 1956, when Jack began working as an electronic technician for the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI). While there, he instrumented specimens for evaluating nuclear detonations and was a participant at bomb tests at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific and at Frenchman and Yucca Flats in Nevada, facing exposure to many nuclear blasts. Janning stated that he left UD when they refused to acknowledge his invention of recording and playback DC from magnetic tape. Electronic Design magazine finally published the technique after hiring a firm to verify it.

In 1958, Jack began working for NCR (National Cash Register) Corporation, where he ultimately had a 30-year career. During his time as Advanced Development Engineer, from 1958 to 1974, he had many significant developments, including First Thermal Printing wafer (1961), Plasma Display (1967-1971) and alignment method for Liquid Crystal (1968). From 1974 to 1979, Jack held the position of Process Engineer and Production Supervisor at NCR. From 1979 to 1988, Jack worked as Senior Engineer/Process Consultant Engineer at NCR Microelectronics, where he received the NCR Presidents Award (August 1981).

After 30 years with NCR, Jack "retired" in 1989, and founded JLJ Inc., an invent-for-hire company that developed products and solved existing problems for companies. In 1995, he developed the Staylit Christmas light, solving many a decorator's nightmare of bungled light strings that failed to light. In Staylit lights, tiny microchips in each light socket keep the string lit even if a bulb is damaged or missing. Staylit lights were retailed across the U.S., Canada and the UK.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Jack had a wide variety of interests and hobbies, including:

* Ham radio operator with call letters W8QCN for 36 years. He enjoyed talking with people from all over the world, and especially liked "patching through" military veterans and their families.

* Toastmasters International. Jack was a member for 13 years, where he developed his speaking and presentation skills.

* Dayton Inventors Council. Charter member for 6 years.

* Helping young engineers. Jack taught classes at UD, such as "Inventions" and "Women in Engineering".

* Photographer. For 25 years, Jack maintained complete darkroom facilities in his basement, where he would process and develop camera film. He even got the kids involved! Even years later, after dissolving the dark room, Jack was known for strolling around any gathering with a video camera in hand.

* Motivational speaker. Jack lectured widely in the Dayton area, giving over 200 speeches, with themes such as "Unmined Diamonds" and "Go Big or Go Home".

* "The Lab". This started as a tinkering area in the basement of his home, then progressed to a rented space where Jack developed and worked on many of his ideas and inventions. The lab was a favorite spot for grandkids to hang out, as well.

Jack loved to entertain family and friends. Sometimes, it would be an outing to Old River...other times it would be a surprise visit to children as Santa Claus. He and his wife, Dee, enjoyed playing card games of all types, and often hosted card night at their home. For several years, they took up ballroom dancing lessons, and, for a long time after, could be found on many a dance floor "cutting a rug"! Jack loved to host family gatherings, especially to celebrate holidays, for many years at their home, then moving to the Engineers' Club as the family grew larger and larger.

HONORS / AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS / HIGHLIGHTS

1961 - Invented and developed the first thermal printing wafer.

1966 - First patent (of many) issued...one of 3 toy patents.

1971 - Developed the oblique alignment process which ushered in the LCD era, for which he received numerous patents.

1981 - Received the first President's Award from NCR...the highest award given by NCR.

1982 - Named Outstanding Engineer in the Miami Valley by the Affiliate Societies Council of the Engineering and Science Foundation.

1983 - Named in "Dayton" magazine as one of the six "Wright Brothers of Today"

1984 - Featured on the cover of "Ohio Business Magazine".

1984 - Appeared in DP&L advertisement in Dayton Daily News.

1984 - 1987 - Nominated to Inventors Hall of Fame.

1989 - Featured as inventor of one of the "fifteen primary Ohio creations" in the book "Amazing Ohio", and featured in the book "A Day in Dayton".

1995 - Received the Charles F. Kettering Award, presented by the President/CEO of AT&T.

1995 - Developed the Staylit Christmas light, which has come to be known as one of his most successful inventions.

1997 - Staylit Christmas lights hit stores nationally.

2001 - Inducted into Dayton's Riverscape Park Inventors Walk of Fame, alongside the likes of Wilbur and Orville Wright and Charles F. Kettering.

2008 - Received the first Joseph Desch Award, named after the legendary NCR electronics pioneer.

2008 - Enshrined into the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame.

2018 - Received his final patent.

WHO WAS JOHN JANNING?

Son

Brother

Husband

Father (Dad)

Grandfather (Grandpa)

Uncle

Santa

Inventor/Scientist

Military Serviceman

Neighbor

Friend

Those who knew him as one or many of the above titles, will forever miss him and the light he cast on those around him. John Janning was one in a million!

EULOGY

Good morning...or is it afternoon? Excuse me as I check my LCD watch. Oh, good afternoon!

On behalf of Mom and the entire Janning family, we are so thankful for you sharing your Saturday with us as we take Dad to his final resting place. We are honored by your presence, and we hope you will join us after his burial at Calvary, for a celebration of his life back here in the lower level.

When asked if we should talk about his many accomplishments, achievements and awards, Dad had this to say: I had those times...I had those days. Then he would change the subject to: How's Mom? How are the kids? It was pretty easy to see which path to take today in remembering him.

Dad had many aspects to his life; he was a problem solver, liked to tinker, and liked the thought of having a solution, looking for a problem. So many stories to share, so many exciting journeys that we all witnessed. Today, with his blessing, we would like to share with you some of his loves.

First, last and most importantly, his greatest joy and greatest love, was Dolores, Dee, his Dee-Dee. His love for Mom surpassed any other passion in his life. She was his one and only true love...and wow, 67 years of marriage, a true testament to their heart and soul as one. An epic love story rooted in great faith and mutual respect. No man or woman achieves greatness in a vacuum. Mom was Dad's rock, his reason for being.

He also loved his family: sons, daughters, in-laws and out-laws, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There are some incredibly intelligent offspring sitting here today. Grandpa took great pride in all of you; keep his light shining within you as you traverse the path ahead. As he would remind you, you have the tools. "Gonna's" don't count. Go Big or Go Home!

On Sunday evening, as he slipped the bonds of earth and arrived at heaven's gates, his vision was renewed and there before him, as his eyes healed, was a sight to behold. Waiting for him with outstretched arms was his son Rick. Heaven would never be the same as these two jokesters are now on a roll. We can only imagine how the angels are handling the angel jokes. Dad and Rick had a few things in common: telling jokes and holding babies. I can think of a few family babies they are holding now. We miss you, Rick, and we miss you, Dad, so much already.

Another love bestowed upon Dad by God was his baby sister Dot, Dottie, Aunt Dorothy. They were two peas in a pod. A duo of love, admiration and sibling closeness unmatched in family history. He was her protector, her Hero. He loves her so much.

He loved talking to and inspiring the next generation of engineers, entrepreneurs and inventors. He would talk of these unmined diamonds and the creativity within them. We watched as young people would hang on every story, every word. At the hospital, the young healthcare workers would stay after their long 12 hour shifts just for more time with him. They would come in early with Dad's favorite, a chocolate donut or a bear claw pastry, and two chocolate milks that they purchased themselves, and sit with him before their day began. It was quintessential Dad, helping the next generation, sharing his incredible knowledge.

Over the past few months, we have born witness to Dad's other loves, as the weeks and days in the ER, hospital, rehab, dialysis, etc. passed. His heart and soul lay open as never before. Untethered from the earthly worries, fears and emotional restraints, he told stories and asked about family, friends, nieces, nephews, neighbors, co-workers, fellow parishioners, business acquaintances, etc. He would ask for the phone and start dialing...no rolodex of numbers, no cell phone to touch or name to call up, no paper, no pen to reference the digits. There it was again, that incredible mind knew all of your numbers, knew all of your kids' names, knew all of your worries and all of your joys.

His final chapter was being written to an amazing and seemingly unbelievable life. You see...his final chapter, final page was about you. All of you. He always wanted to help you. It might be fixing your TV, telling a joke to make you smile, taking your picture or a movie of a special event in your life, as a memory for all to share through time.

He would pass out gold coins to the kids, suckers and candies to all, and share ideas, concepts and sage advice. His gifts were not store-bought, he crafted them himself. Who else goes out and buys a station wagon full of broken color TVs in the 60s, repairs them and gives them away as gifts to friends on Christmas Eve?

It was you who helped make him a better man. It was you who challenged him to be creative beyond belief.

As I lay witness to those final days with Dad, and talked with him and listened to his final thoughts and words, it was you. It was always you. His other love was truly YOU!

God speed, Dad...we all love you too!

OBITUARY

JANNING, JOHN (Jack), 91, of Dayton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at St. Leonard’s in Centerville, Ohio. He was born on March 30, 1928 to Freida (Kessen) and Eugene Janning of Dayton. He is survived by the love of his life, Dolores (Nartker), to whom he was married for 67 years, six children, Kathy (Larry) Weldon of Independence, Kentucky, Janet (John) Owens of Beavercreek, Ohio, Theresa (Kurt) Schnabel of Richmond, Virginia, Larry (Donna) Janning of Bellbrook, Ohio, Tom (Diane) Janning of Waynesville, Ohio, and Jackie (Joe) Lask of Beavercreek, Ohio, sister Dorothy (Don) Zimmerle, brother Gene (Vermilda) Janning, and numerous loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a son, Richard Janning and a brother William Janning. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him for his ability to tell funny jokes and stories, and light up a room with his presence. John served in the Army prior to working for NCR for 30 years and later founded JLJ, Inc., home of the Staylit Christmas light. As a problem-solver and inventor, he is credited with 84 US patents. He was a member of the Dayton Engineers Club where he was inducted into the Engineering and Science Hall of Fame, and later received an honorary doctorate from Wright State University. Visitation will be Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Ascension Church, 2025 Woodman Drive, Kettering, Ohio, followed by a Mass of Christian burial. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the service. TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL in care of arrangements. A special thanks to the staff at Miami Valley Hospital and St. Leonard’s for providing loving care during his final days. In lieu of flowers, perform an act of kindness in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.