Captain John Lee Tarn, Retired

Captain John L. Tarn, USNR (Ret) passed away quietly on September 19, 2014 on his 55th wedding anniversary. Born March 16th, 1936 he was 78 years old. Captain Tarn fought a long courageous battle against both cancer and diabetes ultimately succumbing to the latter. He did not go willingly nor easily and was an inspiration to his family and friends until the very end. He is survived by his Wife, Marjorie, and five children, Karen, Sherry, Mark, John, and Lee. Between his Children he has seven Grandchildren and four Great- Grandchildren. Mr. Tarn is preceded in death by his Parents Lee and Ruth Tarn, and his oldest Grandaughter Amanda, all of whom eagerly await his arrival in Heaven where he will once again warm their hearts with his laughter and stories of adventure. He will be missed by those he left behind but we know he is watching over and guiding us on our journey through life. To Captain Tarn we say "well done Sir!", "fair winds and following seas", and you are one awesome Dad and Husband!

Mr. Tarn led an adventurous and full life. As a young man he was known to be a prankster but always good hearted and kind. While attending College he took the opportunity to join the Navy as a Naval Cadet in the Pilot program, where he earned his Wings of Gold in Pensacola, Florida. During Flight school he took the opportunity to frequently buzz the house of his future In- Laws while he courted his future Wife, Marjorie. During his Naval career he was a flight instructor in helos and fixed wing aircraft, taught Astronauts how to fly helicopters, flew A-4 jet aircraft, and commanded a helicopter squadron. He is a survivor of two aircraft crashes, one was a ditching in an S-2F and the second was being shot down in an H-34 while flying for Air America in South East Asia. He flew a variety of military aircraft to include H-3, H-34, Bell-47 , P-2v, S-2F, A-4's, and a variety of light general aviation aircraft. He also held civil aviation fixed and rotary instructor ratings as well as an ATP rating. Captain Tarn also had a variety of jobs and businesses in the Civilian sector including; Test Pilot, Farmer (pigs, cows, and crops on about 800 acres), truck driver, trucking company owner, map distribution business, Insurance Agent, tax preparation business, and a company that produced and distributed military memorabilia. Mr. Tarn, willing to undertake almost any endeavor, also built two log homes for himself and his family. He was a friend and mentor to many and personally guided many young men into the military that he loved. But above all he was a devoted family man who loved his wife and children.
Formal services will be held at a later date. The Family asks that instead of flowers please make a donation, however small, to the Navy- Marine Corps relief society, either by check/ mail or online, in honor of Captain John L. Tarn. Contributions can be mailed to:

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Attn: Development
875 N. Randolph St. Ste 225
Arlington, VA 22203
Or online at www.nmcrs.org