John Wayne Best, 65, of Rimersburg, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at the Allegheny General Hospital due to complications arising from ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome).
John was born in Rimersburg, on September 17, 1948, to late Adelbert Edward Best and Bernice Rita Gilbert.
John graduated from Mount Union High School.
He was married in 1967 and divorced in 1986.
John traveled across the United States sometimes through his work at and for Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrup Grumman, N.A.S.A. and on several projects that he was not allowed to tell his family about.
Two of his greatest accomplishments were being the supervising engineer for five of the nineteen pieces of the international space station and designing the tail of the C-17 Globe-master and several anti-tank and anti-personnel weaponry that have saved countless American lives on the battlefield.
John is survived by his eldest brother, Edward Arnold Best; two children, Connie Sue Breakey and Matthew John Best; and three grandchildren, Rebecca Sue Breakey, Laura Beth Breakey and Aaron Thomas Breakey.
John felt a powerful love of the Lord and made many contributions to a variety of religious organizations including Joyce Meyer, Wounded Warriors and many others. He was known for being a tolerant, giving and generous man to all who knew him. John has always been an inspiration of character for his fortitude and unabashed passion to love, sometimes to a fault.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Burns Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., 434 Main Street, Rimersburg.
A private service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
A private memorial dinner will be held by the immediate family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorial contributions be sent to the funeral home.
Thank you to anyone who knew and brought joy this amazing mans’ life.
The words that sum up his life: powerful of soul.
Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.rvburnsfuneralhome.com.