John Kenneth Hyatt, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 19, 2014, at the age of 83.

Born in Lincoln, MA on September 10, 1930, John grew up in Bronxville, New York and attended the St. George's School before graduating from the Riverdale Country School, Bronx, NY. 

He entered the U.S. Naval Academy on July 7, 1949.  He was a graduate of the Class of 1953. was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and graduated from Communication Officer course #24.

His assignments included tours as a Communications Officer with 2/3 and 7th Marines and as a signal-intelligence officer with 1st Composite Radio Company, where, after helping form the company, he led a detachment into the Republic of Vietnam in Dec. 1961. 

1st Composite Radio Company, Republic of Vietnam 1961  (Capt Hyatt is on the 2nd Row, 1st Marine on right side of sign)

                         1st Composite Radio Company, MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

                                                                                                                                                 Capt Hyatt and Sgt Lane

May 1962 Capt Hyatt and Lt Keen with the Jorai Ladies

Pleiku ARVIN Base NGO Tong Throng CR Thuy-Quan

After a tour afloat with the COMPHIBRGU-3 staff and staff tour with Code A04C at HQMC, he returned to Hawaii to command the 1st Radio Battalion.  After that he was reassigned as the AC/S, G-2, 1st MAW.  John served his last three years as the Head INTS at HQMC and retired with the rank of Colonel in December 1978.

On February 14, 1988, John married the former Jennie Reed Fowlkes.  Upon his retirement, John moved to Easton, MD where he organized and was managing partner of Heritage Farms.  He was a co-founder of the Easton Agricultural Marketing Club.  He served as treasurer and board member of the Talbot County Chapter American Red Cross: President , Memorial Hospital Association: Chairman of the Board of the Memorial Hospital at Easton, as well as serving on the Board of the Talbot County United Fund.  He was member and past commodore of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club, a former member of New York Yacht Club and a life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.  Since 2012 he also maintained his residence in Sanibel, FL.

John is survived by his wife, Jennie of Easton: his daughter, Ann Miller of Nixa, MO, his son, Kenneth C. (KC) Hyatt of Easton, as well as three step-sons, Douglas Campbell of Cordova, Thomas Campbell of Oxford and P.J. Campbell of Easton.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Eli, Sommer, Ben, Dustin, Alan, Leigh, Tamaron, Taylor and Garrett and his loving cats, Muffin and Sweepes.  He was predeceased by his parents, John Kenneth Hyatt, USNA Class of 1924 and Elizabeth Dowdall Hyatt.

The informal Celebration of John's life , held at the Academy of Arts in Easton, MD on June, 28, 2014 at 4 pm was very well attended.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Talbot Humane, 7894 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD 21601, or Academy Art Museum, 106 south Street, Easton MD 21601.

Ed: Mary and I were able to attend the celebration for John.  Also in attendance was retired Marine and MCCA member Otto Lehrack.  Otto shared a story, which delighted the large crowd, about a beer drinking tournament (League) and the capture of a squadron's flag during John's tour as 1st Radio Battalion Company in the early 1970's.  John was an outstanding officer, gentleman and Leader, who will be greatly missed.

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