John Richard Graf, Jr.

OBITUARY

John Richard Graf, Jr.

November 14, 1943 – August 1, 2020

John Richard Graf, Jr. currently of Keystone Heights, Florida passed away at Kindred Hospital, Green Cove Springs, FL 8/1/2020 due to complications from a massive right and left cerebellum stroke.  Born 11/14/1943 to LT.Col. John R Graf, Sr. and Eleanor nee Lyle of Philadelphia, PA, both deceased.  53-year beloved husband of Barbara nee Bearse; father of Catherine Anne Friloux, deceased, Cheryl Keene of Middleburg ,and Sharleen  Graf of Jacksonville; grandfather of Alyssa Nichole Biesenberger, Amber, Austin, and Wyatt Hamill, Justin and Arthur Bogan, Sarah Jane Howell and Erica Rodriguez; Great grandfather of Justin and Silas  Bogan; Colton  and Joseph Howell. Also survived by his Sister, Linda Lyle Kaloski and her husband, Dan.

John graduated from Abington HS in PA where he served as President of his Senior Class , co-editor of the 1961 ORACLE yearbook and announcer for the school's radio system. Fascinated with speed and aviation he worked on earning his pilot's license during this time.  His military service in the Pennsylvannia Army National Guard included graduating from the State Officer Candidate School  at the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation and while in the 101^st Cavalry, C Troop designing a tank “Bubble Gun” which immobilized people by disorienting them with soap suds.  Coming from a long line of businessmen who were also engineers, teachers or professors, and with a passion for  history, science and how things are made, these earliest events culminated in a full and productive adult life which resulted in 4 specifically targeted businesses:G&G Associates, ITC (International Tele-Communications, INC), ACT Inc, (Aviation Concepts and Transportaion, Inc) and Synergy Concepts Inc,  a SCAVITS Company (Satellite, Computer, Audio, Video, Integration, Technologies Systems) known as “The Concept to Solution People”. 

Under Graf's leadership SCI became a respected producer and leader in turnkey delivery, including the architectural aspects of:

                        Integrated Converged Technology systems

                        Packaged Distance Learning

                        Electronic Interactive Boardrooms

                        Presentation and Videoconference facilities

                        Satellite-linked Interactive Mobile Marketing trailers, and

                        Utility Network Control rooms, to name just a few

SCI's corporate signature work included:

• Allmetals Fabrication Inc.
• UT at Arlington NETSSS extensive turnkey integration;
• AT&T/BELL Labs Mesquite Works advanced engineering satellite education, communication and presentation system;
• JCPenney's secure satellite business system, boardroom and several computer education and multi-media presentation systems
• Children's Medical (Dallas), Sleep Study Center, Emergency Room Study System, Medical multi-media fiber system, and Closcope Documentation and non-intrusive Teaching System.

Memberships included:

            Christ Community Church Dallas Tx; Charter Member The International Association of Lions Clubs of Hyannis, MA; Masonic Lodge #1214 of Richardson, Tx. ; IEEE Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers of Dallas, Texas.

John and Barbara moved to Florida following the death of Catherine to be closer to the numerous family members (listed above).

Private Celebration of Life with family and friends will be held via video conference at a future date due to covid.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.