John LeRoy Feldman

John LeRoy Feldman

(August 1, 1939 – August 31, 2023)

   John LeRoy Feldman, 84, of Ft. Washington, Maryland passed away at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

    He was born in Sault Ste, Marie, Michigan, on August 1, 1939, to John and Elizabeth (Caulder) Feldman. Educated in the Sault St. Marie, Michigan schools, he graduated from Sault St. Marie High School (1957). Following graduation, he received a scholarship to Soo Tech, a branch campus of Michigan Technological University (MTU). He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering as a distinguished ROTC Michigan Tech graduate (1961). John earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was the first Air Force student to graduate from MTU with a graduate degree (1963). He further completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Program Management (1969) from Golden Gate University.

   John met Sharon Lee Nikunen, the love of his life, in high school and were married on September 15, 1962. John and Sharon enjoyed over 51 years of marriage. To this union were born 2 children: Sharolyn and Mark. With John employed by the United States Air Force, they were transferred to several locations: Edwards, CA; Dayton, OH; Montgomery, AL; Upper Marlboro and Ft. Washington, MD. In 1982, John retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and went to work for The Analytic Sciences Corporation (TASC) and consulted for another 27 years as an Acquisition Specialist. He fully retired in 2009 to enjoy “doing his own thing”. 

   After traveling with the Air Force, Maryland became the family’s permanent home. Since 1973, the family attended Hope Lutheran Church in Clinton, Maryland. John loved being involved in the church. Perhaps most gratifying to him was his role teaching Adult Christian Education each Sunday at Hope Lutheran Church for over 25 years and being part of a Koinonia group. John was an avid hockey fan, who enjoyed watching all sports. He was interested in history, Bible study, and spending time in nature. John loved attending the activities of his grandchildren such as soccer games and musical events, as well as helping them pilot his boat and learn to fish for walleye at their cabin on Lake of the Woods, MN.

   Surviving are his children: Sharolyn (Karl) Belzer, Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Mark (Susan) Feldman, Bristow, VA. Surviving are 4 grandchildren: Ryan Feldman, Payton Belzer, Kate Feldman, and Colby Belzer. Also surviving is his sister Jacquelyn Adams, Winchester, VA.  Preceding him in death was his lovely wife Sharon Lee Feldman (Nikunen) in 2013, his father in 1999, his mother in 2000, his sister Sharon Beth in 2018, and twin granddaughters, Aubrey and Alyssa Belzer in 2000.

   He will be laid to rest in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 11:15 AM. May God Bless the memory of John LeRoy Feldman.