John K. Waddell, Sr., 92, of Brandon, born May 15, 1924 in Glen Alum, WV, departed port bound for his heavenly home December 1, 2016. He served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine during WWII. He joined the U.S. Air Force, working as a bombing and navigation technician in Strategic Air Command, flight control guidance for Titan I and II Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles for 13 years. Declining assignment to missile silos in the Midwest, he requested transfer to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps as a Warrant Officer. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam aboard seagoing tugs and harbor pilot in Cam Ranh Bay. He retired from the US Army as Chief Warrant Officer III after 8 years. The next 17 years he worked for Exxon Shipping Company aboard oil tankers, retiring in 1989 at the age of 65. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia S. Waddell, three sisters- Margaret White, Ruth Meade, Mary Doss, children- Jonathan and Bobbi Waddell, Nancy Waddell and Doug Klingel, Ruth and Russell Weintraub, grandchildren- Blaine Waddell, Blake Waddell, Zach Weintraub, Caylee Weintraub, Stephanie Waddell, Sarah Waddell, Samantha Waddell, Melisa Goode, and great-grandchildren- Nevaeh, Valcary, Damien, Maddison, Adrina, Levin and preceded in death by son, John K. Waddell, Jr. Visitation and funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at 1 pm at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Rd., Riverview, FL 33578.