In Memory

John Southern



 
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04/13/14 04:47 PM #1    

J. D. Webster

Here is John's story and obituary as best I can put together.

John Leroy Southern was born Oct. 19th 1955. He graduated from Grissom in 1974. Choosing to serve his country first, he enlisted in the Navy in June after graduation and served for six years. He achieved the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate, Petty Officer 2nd class serving aboard the USS Midway (an aircraft carrier based in Japan). After being honorably discharged in 1980 he went to the University of Alabama (Huntsville) to study engineering, taking various courses until 1986. It is not clear if he finished a degree there. He then transferred to Athens State College and got a BS in Computer Sciences. From there he worked as a software engineer with both Titan Systems Inc. and Teledyne Brown Engineering before deciding to become a teacher in 1993 and returning to Athens State to get a degree in Education, which he completed in 1995. He alternated teaching in Huntsville with engineering work until 2004, during which time he taught mathematics and computer science at both Huntsville and Grissom HS. From 2004 until 2010 he returned full time to software and radar related engineering work with various firms. In 2010 he became an engineer for Northrop Grumman designing system protocols and specification standards. Somewhere along the way he got married and settled in Hazel Green, Alabama. For reasons unspecified, he was hospitalized in April 2012 and passed away at the age of 56 on April 27th, 2012. Below is his Obituary:

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John Leroy Southern, age 56, of Hazel Green passed away at Huntsville Hospital on Friday.
After graduating from Grissom High School, John served six years in the US Navy. He earned a BS degree in Computer Science Engineering at Athens State College and continued post graduate studies at UAH. John worked in the aerospace engineering industry for thirty years and taught mathematics at local high schools as well. His hobbies were various forms of martial arts and music. He played in the praise band at Toney United Methodist Church for many years. John is survived by his wife Martha Southern; parents: John and Margaret Southern; one sister: Cheryl Foreman and husband Larry; one brother: Harry Southern; three nieces and four nephews.

If you have any more details on John, please share.


09/23/17 07:22 AM #2    

Jim Record

John was a great guy. He smiled a lot and was always very friendly throughout high school though after we all grew up and went our ways I never had the pleasure of seeing John again before he passed. May John RIP and know his family know that he is remembered.


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