John William Fust Jr.'s Obituary
Colonel John (Jack) William Fust, Jr., US Army (Ret.), 84, passed away on August 28, 2016, at Inova Loudoun Hospital.
Colonel Fust is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria; four children: Linda Fust Callagy, John William Fust, III, James Phillip Fust, and Julie Fust Doiron; ten grandchildren: Elizabeth Callagy Bougie, Patrick Thomas Callagy, Whitney Bohne Brown, John William Fust, IV, Jordan Nicholas Fust, Madison Marie Fust, Austin Elizabeth Fust, Alaina Marie Doiron, Jude Joseph Doiron, and Alison Lee Doiron; and three great grandchildren: Katherine Michele Bougie, Gloria Grace Bougie, and Brody Kai Brown.
Colonel Fust was born on July 12, 1932 and grew up in Louisville, KY where he attended Louisville Male High School. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1954 with a BA in physical education/biological sciences, and later earned a MS degree in Mass Communications from Shippensburg University.
Colonel Fust served his country for 23 years with distinction and pride as a US Army officer. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry, in 1954. He earned his Airborne, Jumpmaster, and Ranger qualifications in 1955, and qualified as an Army Aviator in 1956 and as a Master Army Aviator in 1963. He piloted both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and served in the US, Korea, Vietnam, and Germany. He was awarded the Legion of Merit (2-OLC), the Bronze Star (3-OLC), Air Medal (2-OLC and “V” Device), Army Commendation Medal (1-OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class, and Vietnam Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Service Stars), Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 60 Device), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (2 awards).
Upon retirement from the US Army, Jack pursued a successful second career for 16 years as a financial planner in the US and then Germany, assisting military service members. When he returned from Germany, Jack went into business with his wife and two daughters for another 16 years, operating The Potomac Gallery in Leesburg, VA, an art gallery specializing in, among other things, military-themed art. Throughout this time, Jack pursued many other activities and business pursuits, and was an active participant in the Army Otter-Caribou Association. He enjoyed keeping in contact with his many friends and colleagues and always had a story to tell.
Life without Jack will be difficult. He was such a part of our lives and everyday activities. May God bless him and keep him close.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 8:45am at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Fisher House Foundation
111 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20850
Online at: donate.fisherhouse.org
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