John Gaylon McKisson

John Gaylon McKisson, 76, of Leesburg, Virginia passed away at home on July 17, 2024 under hospice care. He was born in Washington D.C. in 1948 to Everett Lee McKisson and Helen Lorraine Cottingham, and has fond memories of spending time with extended family in Missouri. John graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in 1966 before serving in the Navy as an Aviation Fire Control Technician from 1967-1971. Following his service in the Navy, John enjoyed a long career in telecommunications. He met his wife, Margaret (Peggy) McDorman when they were coworkers at Computer Sciences Corporation. They married in 1982 at her parents home in Chestertown, Maryland where they went on to spend many summers and school breaks with their two children, Michael and Helen. John loved baseball, he enjoyed playing it, coaching it, collecting memorabilia, and keeping score for his son’s little league teams as well as catching a game at Camden Yards any time he could. Once the Nationals came to DC, he swore off the Orioles for the rest of his life and the Nats enjoyed his support to the very end. He also enjoyed rescuing struggling orchids from grocery stores and bringing them into their full glory. John had an impressive saltwater aquarium tank that he loved to maintain and take care of fish friends Spielberg, Spike Lee, and Tarantino named by his children. In his earlier years he spent his free time fly fishing and duck hunting with his loyal German Pointer Cocoa. John instantly befriended every dog he ever met. Cocoa, Levi, Rocky, Rosie, Daisy, Annie, Molly, Spice await him at Rainbow Bridge with their “waggers going”. John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Peggy McKisson; their son Michael McKisson and his wife Kim McKisson of Lovettsville, Virginia; their daughter Helen McKisson Marquis and her husband Aaron Marquis of Brighton, Michigan; grandchildren Trenton and Hannah McKisson, and Henry, Angalena, and Maddison Marquis; his sister Sandra McKisson Reed and her husband Larry; step-siblings Larry Hartbarger, Bonita Hartbarger, and Brenda Smyth; his faithful dog Koda; and grandpups Bailey, Bruno, and Chloe. Private services will be held at Still Pond Cemetery in Still Pond, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Humane Society of Loudoun County. https://humaneloudoun.networkforgood.com/projects/203521-support-hslc

John Gaylon McKisson

June 11, 1948 - July 17, 2024