John Robert Falkenham's Obituary
John Robert Falkenham was born November 21, 1931, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont; the only child of John Jacob and Zylpha Harriet Petrie Falkenham. He died on his birthday, November 21, 2024, in Lakeland, Florida.
Though he was born in Vermont John spent his childhood in the Miami area, graduating from Miami Dade High School. He served as a cryptographer in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 spending some of that time in South Korea. After leaving the Army he enrolled in the University of New Hampshire, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1958. He spent his entire working career with the U.S. government working primarily in procurement.
John was a proficient sailor and once was the proud owner of a sailboat capable of oceangoing. He obtained his pilot certification and was a member of the U.S. Power Squadron in Orlando.
He is predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Alice Louise McCraw Falkenham, whom he considered the light of his life. They were fortunate enough to spend time in Saudi Arabia where they were able to travel throughout Europe and the Middle East. They enjoyed traveling and a highlight of their adventures was a cruise to Alaska. Although he and Alice lived in several states during their careers, they returned to Florida and retired in Lakeland.
John and Alice both felt strongly about the benefits of an education and were ardent supporters of The Florida Southern College of Arts, the University of South Florida Public Media, and WEDU PBS television station. Even though he had no children of his own nor siblings, he “adopted” Alice’s family as his own. He took an interest in many of Alice’s nieces and nephews, introducing them to the performing arts and encouraging them to get a good education.
He is survived by his cousins Richard Petrie and Carolyn Petrie Mefford, both of San Diego, CA.
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