John Arthur Light, age 55, US Army Veteran, of Springfield, Va., passed on April 15, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones. John is survived by his wife Penni, children John Jr, Chris and his wife Bailey, Alex, Nathan, and Tyler, and parents Jim and Betty. A private funeral will be held in Springfield, VA.
John Light was born in 1966 in Falls Church, VA to Jim and Betty Light. His childhood was spent in Springfield, VA. Growing up, John played piano and clarinet, was in the band, and played basketball and soccer. John graduated from West Springfield High School in 1984.
John served his country honorably as a veteran of the US Army. He was a proud member of the 3rd Infantry Regiment — the Old Guard — at Fort Myer, VA. John was in the Presidential Detail and proudly wore the Air Assault Badge and the Parachutist Badge (aka Jump Wings). For his service, John received the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
John attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Military and International Affairs in 1988. John also received a master’s degree in computer science — Magna Cum Laude — in 2000 from Strayer University.
John spent 27 years in the Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Biometrics fields, working for a variety of different companies supporting Federal Government organizations including the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. His work took him all over the USA and around the world. John received numerous awards and recognitions from his employers over the years, including certificates of appreciation and a President’s Award.
John was a member of several civic organizations including the Scottish Rite/Freemason-where he was a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and a 32nd Degree Mason, the Citadel Club of Greater Washington, the American Legion, and the Association of the US Army.
John loved politics, world affairs, and history. John was a lifelong member of the Republican Party and supported a number of political campaigns over the years at the Federal, State, and local levels.
John’s Christian faith was strong and genuine. John was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Springfield, where he was appointed a Deacon.
John was a funny guy. He loved cracking jokes and telling funny stories with everyone around him — friends, family, co-workers. He did this from an early age right up to the present. He loved to come up with these silly bits or funny jokes that always made us all buckle over with laughter. John had an enormous capacity for joy.
To John, family was everything. Whether it was spending time with his Mom and Dad, raising his kids, or staying in touch with family members all across the USA and United Kingdom, John was a family man through and through. John taught us what it means to be a wonderful son, father, husband, and cousin. He was firm in his principles and supportive as his sons began to seek their own ways. He encouraged and comforted, but never steered.
To his three boys, John was dad. As a father, John made a point of being a large part of his boys’ lives. The boys have fond memories of their dad coming into their rooms every morning before leaving for work to say a prayer, which always started their days on a positive note. As the boys grew up and explored their interests, John was always at their sides, encouraging and supporting them. From commentating at their BMX races, to cheering Chris and Alex on at their sporting events, to rocking out at JJ’s concerts, John was always there for his boys. When John’s marriage with Penni brought Tyler and Nathan into the family, he didn’t hesitate to extend his love to them as if they were his own. He also happily embraced Bailey as his daughter-in-law when she married Chris.
John and Penni loved to travel (both inside the USA and International). They loved a good meal out — yes, they were Foodies — and enjoying time with friends and family. The number of people who called John friend was legion.
John’s marriage to Penni was incredible. Simply stated, it is hard to imagine one without the other. Their marriage was indeed made in heaven. One would never say a bad word about the other, never an argument. There was always a touching consideration of one for the other. Theirs was a profound love and they were never really happy when apart. The love that John and Penni shared was focused on affection and respect, sacrifice, giving, encouragement, and support, and everyone has profited deeply from the love they both shared.
John was very loyal. His faithfulness to the important people in his life could be seen in the way he steadfastly maintained ties with his friends, co-workers, and family. From the streets of Springfield where he grew up, college at the Citadel in South Carolina, Army service, his work career, church — and through the weddings, baptisms, holidays, and other events that mark the arc of life, John could always be counted on to be there.
John Light was passionate about his faith, his service, and his family. He was smart, kind, patient, deliberate, generous, caring, courageous, resilient, honest, wise, funny, and loving. He will be greatly missed.
Posted in: Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home
Posted on: 2021-04-30
Link to original obituary: https://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com/obituaries/John-Arthur-Light-?obId=20906475#/obituaryInfo