- Date Of Birth: January 18, 1935
- Date Of Death: November 27, 2021
- State: Colorado
John Robert Wigle 1935-2021
John Robert Wigle, born on January 18, 1935, the 4th son born to Doug A. Wigle, Sr., and Mary Jane (Miller) Wigle in Greeley, Colorado. John was raised by his mother, maternal grandmother (Nora Rice Miller), and his three older brothers (Edwin Charles, Douglas Jr, and Richmond).
His mother was a school music teacher and so her work took them all over the country. Because of this, John attended multiple schools in Colorado, California, Washington, New Mexico. At the end of 10th grade, in 1952, at the age of 17, John enlisted in the United States Navy. After enlisting in 1952, he returned to Colorado to marry his high school sweetheart, Wilma, on December 16, 1956.
John went on to have a successful Navy career that spanned from the end of the Korean War through the Vietnam Conflict obtaining the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8). After enlisting, he was sent to the Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA for 14 weeks of boot camp where he excelled. He moved through the ranks by taking advantage of the various training opportunities and schools. He served three tours of duty in Vietnam and he ended his career serving on a specialized Navy Technical Team detached to work with Lockheed Aircraft in the development of several different types of systems being pioneered and placed in the S-3A Viking aircraft. He retired from the Navy in 1974 and shifted to the civilian side of aerospace development that included working with Lockheed, Texas Instruments, Lockheed-Martin in California, Texas, New Mexico and eventually in Colorado where he retired in 1992. John was a Freemason and active in the Veterans of Forgien Wars (VFW) and several local community organizations including holding various leadership roles. He was known for generously giving of his time and talents to these organizations as well as a regular donor to various charities.
John and Wilma had three children. Terri, eldest, arrived in 1959. A second child, John was still-born in 1961 and the youngest, Matt, was born in 1963. Adding to their legacy – there are now seven adult grandchildren and one great grandchild.
John passed away peacefully on November 27, 2021 from Alzheimer’s.
John was the last of his generation so preceded in death by his wife, infant son, parents, siblings and many friends.
Porter Hospice Foundation Online:
950 E Harvard Ave, Suite 230, Denver, CO 80210
Alzheimer’s Association Online:
Mail check to Alzheimer’s Assoc.
225 N. Michigan Ave, Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601
