Retired Navy Capt. John W. Reddinger, known by his friends and family as "Jack," passed away quietly Dec. 11 in the company of family after a prolonged illness.

Born Nov. 30, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Jack entered the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School at Pensacola, Fla., in 1969 after graduation from Indiana (Pa.) University. After receiving his commission, he served as a naval flight officer for more than 30 years in various aviation and shore commands including commanding officer of Air Antisubmarine Squadron Twenty Two.

He earned his master's degree in business administration at the University of Southern California and also attended the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.

In 1990, as both a student and an instructor at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University, Jack became interested in Sino-American relations and went on to study Mandarin Chinese. He served as the Naval attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China from 1994 to 1998 and as the defense attaché at the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong from 1998 to 2001.

During his tour in Beijing, Jack helped facilitate the first post-Tiananmen U.S. ship visit to the Peoples Republic of China and also worked diligently to coordinate the first ever visits of Chinese naval vessels to U.S. ports when they dropped anchor in Hawaii and California in 1997.

Jack's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal and numerous other awards.

He always will be remembered by those who served with him as a true shipmate. He was an officer of the highest integrity who commanded the respect and admiration of juniors and seniors alike.

After retiring from the USN in 2001, Jack brought his extensive experience in Asia to Citigroup Corp. He lived and worked in both Taiwan and Singapore as director of security/Asia-Pacific for Citigroup's Security and Investigative Services Department. He loved this work and thrived on the experiences and travel throughout Asia.

Jack was also a loving father and husband devoted to his family and friends throughout the world.

He was a passionate golfer and sailor and shared his love of sailing with his family aboard "Dragon's Dance."

Jack is survived by his wife, a life-long friend and classmate, of almost 37 years, Harriett Reddinger. He also is survived by two sons, Drew and Mark Reddinger and their families: Drew's wife, Dana, and grandchildren, Keir and Lain; and Mark's wife, Michelle, and granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth.

Jack, the eldest of four brothers, is survived by Richard Reddinger and family of Butler, Gesward Reddinger and family of Valencia and Keith Reddinger and family of Butler.

Jack's parents are deceased; however, he leaves behind his adoring mother-in-law, Erma Gerwick of Mars. Jack was a beloved "brother" to sisters-in-law, Linda McHugh and family of Shaler Township and Carol Crawford and family of Virginia.

<B>REDDINGER </B>— A memorial service for retired Navy Capt. John W. Reddinger, who died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Orange Park United Methodist Church.In lieu of flowers, Jack has requested that friends and family donate blood or make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERMEAD FUNERAL HOME</B>, Orange Park, Fla.