John Lionel Bohn passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023 with his wife and devoted caregiver by his side in Wethersfield, Connecticut, at the age of 96.

John was born on August 5, 1927 in Jackson Heights, New York to Rita and George Bohn two years before the onset of the Great Depression. John moved to Toluca Lake, California in 1936 where he attended Immaculate Heart of Mary grade school and Loyola Marymount Jesuit prep school in Los Angeles, California.

In 1945, John enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 18, completing his basic training at Sheppard Field in Wichita, Texas.

From 1946 to 1947, John was stationed at the Aircraft Radio Division at Scott Field Air Base in Illinois for radio communications training. He then transferred to the Smoky Hill Army Air Base in Salina, Kansas where he served in the 26th Radio Squadron Mobile (RSM), providing strategic reconnaissance in B-50 aircraft during the Cold War.

From 1948 to 1950, John continued to serve in the 26th RSM, (part of the U.S. Air Force Security Services (USAFSS) as of mid-1948). John was stationed at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico, providing strategic reconnaissance in B-29 and B-50 aircraft during the Cold War and the early months of the Korean War. During this time, he was also stationed at the U.S. Air Base in Tempelhof, Germany and the Rhein-Main U.S. Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany where he provided support in C-47 and C-54 aircraft during the Berlin Airlift. From 1950 to 1957, John was stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California where he served in the 26th RSM and the 6983rd RSM with the USAFSS. During this time, he provided strategic reconnaissance in B-29,

B-50, and C-130 aircraft during the Cold War and the final years of the Korean War.

In 1956, John met Jewel Loraine Nelson, an RN caring for his father at the VA hospital in West Los Angeles, CA. John and Jewel were married in 1957, moved to Canoga Park, California, and welcomed the birth of their boy and girl twins, Mark Vincent and Tracy Marie. Ever the proud, loving father, John’s guidance, support, and knowledge was the foundation of his family.

In 1957, John retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Technical Sergeant. He attended the University of Southern California (USC) School of Engineering in Los Angeles, California, then began his career as a reconnaissance engineer working for Lear Avionics, Inc., supporting aerospace and defense programs; RCA, supporting the ASTRO program, an orbiting satellite mission involving a satellite reconnaissance system; Aerospace, designing and managing the microwave laboratory in support of the U. S. National Reconnaissance Office; Watkins-Johnson/CEI, supporting various military reconnaissance and airborne programs. John also consulted for TRW, ESL, Loral, and others.

In 1971, John and his family moved to the coastal town of Santa Cruz, California where he greatly enjoyed living by the sea. He often remarked that he loved listening to the sound of the waves and the barking sea lions. John lived in Santa Cruz until 1984.

In 1986, John met Noel Mufatti. John and Noel were married in Connecticut in 1987.

John was an extremely proud member of the Masonic Lodge for 61 years.

John was also a proud member of the Caterpillar Club.

John had a great love for animals. He proudly supported organizations that rescued neglected and abused animals.

One of John’s favorite hobbies as a young boy was building wooden airplane models. He enjoyed visiting Reginald Denny’s Hobby shop in Hollywood in the 1930s to purchase his models. John’s favorite plane models built were the P-40 Tiger Shark and the Supermarine Spitfire.

From an early age, John was an avid reader. He enjoyed studying many subjects; he was keenly interested in ancient and modern history, aviation, naval sea battles, and WW II submarines. John continued to consume books daily in audio format after his eyesight failed.

John was an incredibly supportive, selfless, inspiring son, husband, father, and friend. Always the optimist, he found a silver lining in every dark cloud. John loved life and always kept a positive outlook. He had a very generous spirit and kind heart. Truly thankful for his beloved family, his dear friends, and his long, blessed life, John leaves a legacy of devotion to his loved ones.

John is survived by his twin son and daughter, Mark Bohn and Tracy Ely; his son-in-law, Nick Ely; his wife of 36 years, Noel Bohn; his stepson, Mark Schroder, and his extended family, Lisa Schroder, Colton Schroder, and Krista Schroder.

John also leaves behind his dear friends, Harry Emerzian and George Oeh, and his devoted friend and caregiver, Nigora Alikulova.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jewel Bohn (d. 2016) and his brother, Kenneth Bohn.

John was a true role model who we will always look up to. His memorial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, any kind acts of charity may be made in John’s memory to Pregnant Mare Rescue

(pregnantmarerescue.org) 408.540.8568.