In Loving Memory
May 02, 1933 – February 08, 2015
John D. Klemm passed away on February 8, 2015. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2, 1933. He joined the United States Coast Guard in May 1950, after a long and successful career LCDR John Klemm retired from the United Stated Coast Guard while serving as the Group Mobile Executive Officer. In April 1951, he married the love of his life, Marguerite Ayers in Salem, Massachusetts.
He is survived by his wife, Marguerite; his daughters, Donna Pappas, Bernadette Finn, Mary Tillgren; his sons, John Klemm Jr. and David Klemm; his sister, Helen Colclough; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
John was a very kind and loving man, everyone that met him liked him. He had a knack of making people feel good and let them know how much he really appreciated them. He served his country in times of war joining the United States Coast Guard during the Korean War and serving in Viet Nam 1968 to 1969. He flew as an air crewman in the United States Coast Guard on many life saving missions on number of different types of aircraft. He became well versed in many aspects of electronics and communications. He went on to manage electronics and communications infrastructure and personnel for the United States Coast Guard in two Districts before his final position as the Executive Officer at Group Mobile. At WLO, a Mobile, Alabama based Marine Radio Station, where he worked to help WLO grow and move from the teletypes to satellite type communications. John was a devout Catholic and long time member of Our Savior Catholic Church, Mobile, Alabama. He was a wonderful and proud Father, Grandfather and friend to many, he will be missed.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, February 13, 2015 at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 34904 Alabama Highway 225, Spanish Fort, AL 36527. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org. Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.hughesfh.com. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory, 7951 American Way, Daphne, AL 36526.
Enjoyed my conversations with him.
Thinking of the entire Klemm family
John was a wonderful loving family man
& served his country proudly, I know
His influence is why my brother Bill Pappas
Is such a special man today
Sending special hugs to my sister in law
Donna Pappas
I am sad to hear of the passing of John. John and I had many conversations about our time spent in Vietnam, he was a true patriot. Our conversations will be missed as well as the fellowship I enjoyed with him. God’s speed John.
Charlie………………..
John was a true professional Coast Guard officer who was respected by everyone who served with him throughout his Coast Guard career. He inspired good men to be their best.
Affectionly called “The Silver Fox”. Influenced all he came in contact with and an honor to have known him. A special person and I will miss you.
Sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with the Klemm family.
A true “officer and gentleman.” John was a mentor to me when I was a junior USCG officer and will always be greatful for the lessons he taught me. Smooth sailing John … we will miss you.
A true coast guardsman in every sense., and a credit to our service.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Klemm family at this time. I will miss John, he was a very good friend to C.J an I. God Bless.
A great loss to Johns family and to all of the people he served with and mentored through the years.
I have been lucky to have served with John and counted him as a best friend. We have had some
good conversations lately and will miss his humor and reminiscing.
Our prayers are with all of the Klemm family. “God Bless” (from Alexandria VA)
Mr. Klemm was a good neighbor and friend in Ashmoor Place. He was such a gentleman. I will miss seeing him at Mass at Our Savior. God bless him and his family.
I cut John’s hair for many years. He was a wonderful man. I enjoyed his military stories. I will surely miss him.
John, You were a Great Friend, you will be missed but YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. We will meet again one day. You were a True Chief, Officer and COASTIE.
John served as my Executive Officer at the Coast Guard’s Mobile, Alabama Base from 1978 until his retirement. He was a special erson devoted to his family and to the Coast Guard. During our time together I came to rely heavily on his wisdom, experience, and advice. He was an individual who invariably put the best interests of people ( his family and co-workers) first. He was an example to all who knew him.
I send my heartfelt condolences to his family
Although we. Were never stationed together I have heard his name many many times. I look forward to meeting you in heven. RIP our prayers are with you and your family
Gramps was an exceptional man. It is hard with him not here. Miss him more everyday. he loved us all so much and he was always there when you needed him. Still seems so unreal. Miss and love him very much, we all do. The world just isn’t the same without him here.