John C Whitridge III

John Clifford Whitridge III

April 15, 1934 - February 12, 2017

John Clifford Whitridge III (Jack), age 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, Georgia. Jack was a U.S. Navy veteran, career Foreign Service Officer, and he retired from Federal Express at the age of 79. Jack's large family and his Catholic faith were two of the most treasured parts of his life. Jack valued moments spent with and for his family. Jack woke up early Saturday mornings to ensure that the baseball and the football fields that his sons played on were in top shape for game day; led the family on motor-home trips during summer vacations into the Canadian wilderness; and most importantly taught his sons and through them, his 13 grandchildren, an amazing and unparalleled work ethic, determination and sense of accountability.

Jack was born, with his twin brother Peter, in Columbus, Ohio and was the son of the late John Clifford Whitridge, Jr. and the late Eleanor Hall (nee Graves) Whitridge. Jack served in the United States Navy from June 1951 to April 1955. He was employed by the United States Department of State from January 1956 until January 1991 and lived and served his country all over the world, including in Lagos, Nigeria, Montevideo, Uruguay, Cairo, Egypt, Ottawa, Canada, and Barbados. He married Jacqueline (Jackie) Lorraine (nee Alves) on June 4, 1960 in Frankfurt, Germany. Jack and Jackie later worked and lived in Athens, Greece, London, England, and Manchester, Connecticut where their four children were born. In 1970, John and Jackie moved to Fairfax, Virginia where they lived on and off over the next 45 years. John and Jackie moved to Johns Creek, Georgia in August 2015, where they lived until his passing.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jackie Whitridge; their 4 children, John C. Whitridge IV and his wife, Donna, of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Timothy Whitridge and his wife, Laura, of Alpharetta, Georgia; Paul Whitridge and his wife, Kristin, of Alexandria, Virginia; and David Whitridge and his wife, Jill, of Johns Creek, Georgia; and their 13 grandchildren, John V, Carolina, Christopher, Tess, Madeline, Stephanie, Nicholas, Matthew, Noah, Leigha, Abigail, James and Olivia.

Blessed by the time his life was in ours, Jack will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who was an example and inspiration to all.

A memorial service and final resting place for Jack will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack's honor to Peachtree Christian Hospice, 3430 Duluth Park Lane, Duluth, GA 30096 or visit their website: http://peachtreechristianhospice.com/donate-now/