John R. Somerville

John R. Jack Somerville, Jr., 82, of Owensboro, died Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at Owensboro Medical Health System. Born in Jameson, MO, a son of the late John R. and Edna Doll Somerville, he was attending the University of Missouri in Columbia when his ROTC unit was activated for World War, II. Mr. Somerville served in the European Theatre as an officer with the 394 Field Artillery. Following the war, he returned to college, graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and joined General Electric. He continued his military service with the National Guard and was activated for the Korean conflict during which time he attained the rank of captain and was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He continued his career with GE and later with MPD from which he retired. Mr. Somerville was a member of First Baptist Church and its Maverick Sunday school class, a former deacon, member of the Senior Adult Choir, an usher. He volunteered his time with the AARP as a tax preparer, was actively involved with Habitat for Humanity, and a Kentucky Colonel.

Survivors include his wife of almost 50 years, Juanita Somerville; his daughters, Patty S. Jones and her husband Chris of Houston, and Linda S. Henkel and her husband Keith of Little Rock; his son, John P. Somerville and his wife Melissa of Louisville; his grandchildren, Andrew R. Henkel and Sarah M. Henkel of Little Rock; his step-grandchildren, Brit McGaw and Rachel King of Louisville; his brother, William H. Somerville of Arlington, VA; and his sister, Barbara Foley of Shawnee Kansas.

Services are at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Paul Strahan. Visitation is from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday and from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Glenn Funeral Home. Entombment will be in Owensboro Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, the Oneida Baptist Institute, or the charity of ones choice.