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| John Frances Loye, Jr.
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| NO. 17729 • 17 June 1927 – 29 June 1978
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Died 29 June 1978 in Morrow,
GA
Interred in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence, MA
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John Francis Loye, Jr.'s Howitzer entry states, "Jack's radiant smile captivates all, and his love of Irish
music always adds a touch of Killarney here at West Point. His bridgeplaying
fame is only matched by his ability to make friends. Our Irishman's sound
thinking and levelheadedness, coupled with a droll sense of humor, make his
opinion worth hearing." That was a good evaluation then and would be
seconded by those who met Jack later in
his career. During his cadet days, his neighbors eagerly anticipated Jack’s
comments after questionable proposals were made at class or company meetings.
He would quickly respond with a wry comment that broke through the serious
side, putting the meeting on solid ground! An intelligent and independent
thinker, he demonstrated his abilities over 26 years in the Air Force and at
schools of higher learning.
Born in Lawrence, MA, he went from Andover Junior High to
Philips Andover Academy, graduating in May 1945. His first military experience
was a year in the Navy (1945-46), during which he attended Marquette
University. On 1 July 1946, he dropped from Seaman, First Class to Cadet,
Fourth Class. Experienced enough to avoid most of the pitfalls of Beast
Barracks and Plebe year, as an upperclassman, Jack handled the academic load
and social requirements without slighting either. Renowned for skill at cards
and for inducing involuntary laughter with his unofficial wit, he belonged to
the Dialectic Society, the Radio Club, the Art Club, and the Spanish Club. He
experimented with angle shots in the Handball Club, with weighty matters in the
Weight Lifting Club, and was an acolyte at the Catholic Chapel.
Upon commissioning, Jack
joined the Air Force and was an early participant in electronic warfare. During
the Korean Conflict, he was awarded two Air Medals while flying 30 combat
missions over Korea. Next, he went to Keesler AFB in Mississippi.
Jack married Jane A.
McKallaghat on 4 Nov 1953 at St. Laurence's Church in Lawrence, MA. John Jr.
was born in 1954 at Barksdale AFB, LA. Daughter Mary was born in 1956 at
Griffis AFB in Upstate New York. In 1958,
Jack earned an MBA and a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from
Syracuse University. From 1958-62 he was
a crew member on B52 bombers with the 45th Air Division, Loring AFB, ME. His
crew was selected as a "Stanboard Crew," and participated in many
bombing competitions. There, daughter Tamara Jayne joined the family.
While at Air Command and Staff
School at Maxwell AFB, AL, Jack earned a master's in public administration from
George Washington University. Next, Jack joined the faculty of the Air
University at Maxwell as an instructor at the Squadron Officer School.
Eventually an assistant department head in the Academic Instructor School, in
1968, he studied at Florida State University earning, in 1970, a doctorate in
educational administration, while investigating the effects of
"interactional analysis training' on teachers of adults.
Next, he went to Headquarters,
Seventh Air Force, in Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, where he was deputy for Project
CHECO, Contemporary Historical Evaluation of Combat Operations, that documented
the war as events occurred. He wrote 3 reports dealing with specific campaigns
and supervised research for 25 other special reports prepared by the historical
group.
Jack was Professor of
Aerospace Studies and Head of the Department of Air Force Aerospace studies at
Iowa State University, Ames, IA, in 1971. His department provided instruction
for more than 200 students. Jack developed a special Honors seminar for
University-wide application that was probably a delicate undertaking in
that period of U.S. history. In 1974, Jack was Director of Curricula and
Instruction at the Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL, developing curricula and
instructional techniques for all professional and technical departments,
covering 225 faculty members and 8,000 students.
One of his proudest moments
was commissioning his son as an ensign in the U.S. Navy at Iowa State
University in June 1976. Assuring his replacement in the service of the United
States, Jack retired1 Oct 1976. Next, he served at Clayton State College as
Head of the Business Department. Killed in an automobile accident two years
after retiring from the Air Force, he was buried with full military honors
after a funeral mass in the church where he and Jane were married. Funds and
scholarships were contributed to the college in his memory. His wife Jane currently resides in
Riverdale, GA. Daughter Cathy resides in Raleigh, NC, managing a Stein Mart
Store in the town of Cary. Daughter Tami is a corporate attorney for People
Soft and lives in Norcross, GA. Son John E Loye Jr., Captain, USN, has stayed
on the rolling main and is stationed in Naples, Italy, as Operations Officer,
Submarine Group 8.
Jack was a devoted husband and
proud father, active in civic affairs, Boy Scouts, church activities, and
public speaking in all the communities in which he lived. His love for Irish
music and card playing followed him throughout his life.
His absence from Class of '50
reunions is regretted by company mates and classmates to whom he has given a
"good laugh" over the years. We look forward to hearing his
Massachusetts accent when the Long Gray Line re-forms in the future. Jack
strove diligently for truth, fairness to all concerned, goodwill, and
meaningful friendships. His family has suffered a great loss, yet the memories
of a loving husband and father are lodged in their hearts.
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USMA 1950