John E. "Jack" Person

John E. “Jack” Person, Jr., 100, of Williamsport, died on Monday, July 29, 2019, at home. 

Jack was born on August 22, 1918, in Williamsport, son of the late John E. Person and Lenna (Braddock) Person.  He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 70 years, Charlotte “Honey” (Tepel) Person on September 12, 2017.

Jack graduated from Williamsport High School in 1936, and following high school attended Dickinson College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Babson College of Business.  During World War II he served in the Army for four years and was stationed in the Philippines where he was a combat infantry officer.  After World War II, Jack returned to Williamsport where he followed his father and grandfather into the family newspaper business, the Sun-Gazette Co., and eventually succeeded his father as President in 1964.  Jack retired from the Sun-Gazette in 1990 when the newspaper was sold.

Jack Person was a lifelong member of Pine Street United Methodist Church, where he held various positions over the years. He was very active in the community and served on many boards and civic organizations including the Williamsport Hospital, Northern Central Bank, Lycoming College, the Williamsport Foundation (past Chairman), United Way (past President), Williamsport Redevelopment Authority (past Chairman), the local Boy Scout Council, the school board, and the Chamber of Commerce (past President), during which time he was instrumental in locating and acquiring the present site of Little League Baseball World Headquarters. He was also a lifelong member of Gray’s Run Hunting and Fishing Club.

Jack was a devoted follower of the activities of each of his eleven grandchildren and he and Honey seldom missed a sporting or other event no matter how far they had to travel.

Jack Person is survived by sons John E. Person, III; Michael R. (Julie) Person; and Thomas T. (Marsha) Person, all of Williamsport; eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and eight nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, Jack was preceded in death by a son, David B. (Sandra) Person in 1995 and two sisters, Mary Helen (Person) Gates of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and Nancy (Person) Sauer of Williamsport.

Public visitation will be held from 11 to noon on Saturday, Aug. 24, at Knight-Confer Funeral Home, 1914 Memorial Ave., Williamsport. Private Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John E. Person, Jr., may be made to: Pine Street United Methodist Church 441 Pine St. Williamsport, PA 17701 or First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania 201 West Fourth St. Williamsport, PA 17701.

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