Obituary of John E. Washburn

WARNER ROBINS John Edward Washburn, 86, went to be with the Lord following a brief illness on Thursday, December 4, 2008. He was a loving father and husband, and will be missed by family and friends. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 8, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church Centerville, GA. Interment will follow at 1:00 P.M. in Andersonville National Cemetery. The Reverend Stephen Grantham will officiate. The Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, December 7, 2008 at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. John Washburn was born on August 8, 1922 in Cleburne, TX. He attended Texas A&M University, but studies were interrupted by World War II, where he was shot down in a Raid on Ploesti, Romania, and was subsequently a Prisoner of War POW. He received two Purple Hearts as a result of injuries. John returned to Texas A&M to complete degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Industrial Engineering. The Washburn Family moved to Warner Robins, GA in 1959, and John was employed by Robins Air Force Base until retiring in 1985. John and his brother Walt has a Cattle Ranch in Madison, GA upon moving to GA until 1972. John was a member of First United Methodist Church in Centerville, GA. He was also a fifty year Mason, and a member of Tyrian Masonic Lodge 111, Al Sihah Shrine Center, York Rite, Past Commander of Legion of Honor, and Past Patron of Martha Berry OES 351. John was active with the Boy Scouts of America for many years and impacted the lives of young men, many who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. John was a Volunteer Fireman in Centerville, GA. He volunteered with AARP for over 13 years assisting retired citizens and documenting tax returns. He was a member of the local ex-POWs group and ex-POWs over Romania. John was an avid fan for the Northside Eagle Football Teams for over 40 years. Survivors include his children Katie Dunn Paul of Warner Robins, Mary Thrasher of Kathleen; Art Washburn Pam of Chattanooga, TN, and Betsy Phillips Keith of Warner Robins. John is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his father, Walter Raleigh Washburn of Cleburne, TX, mother, Emma Orene Riggs of Cleburne, TX, wife Margaret Meacham Washburn of Ft. Worth, TX, Sister, Mildred Green of Ft. Worth, TX, Sister Ruth Greene of Houston, TX, and Tommy Thrasher Son-in-Law of Kathleen. Heritage Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, 101 Wilson, Drive, Centerville, GA 31028.