Final Salute

WILLIAMSBURG — John Albert Brockwell Sr., 85, died Thursday, June 10, 2021. He was born on Oct, 12, 1935, in Alexandria to the late Charles Albert Brockwell Jr. and Doris Barlow Brockwell.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Myrna Eileen Mayes Brockwell of Williamsburg; and son and daughter-in-law, John Albert Brockwell Jr. and Deirdre of Burlington.

John was a retired commander with the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. During his service, he was awarded several honors, including the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with 4 Campaign Stars. John was a disabled Vietnam War veteran.

A 1957 electrical engineering graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, John went on to earn his Master of Electric Power Engineering Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, in 1971. He retired as an electric power engineer from Carolina Power & Light Co. (Duke Energy), Raleigh, N.C.

John was a lifelong Southern Baptist, most recently a member of James River Baptist Church in Williamsburg. For 14 years, he volunteered with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and with Colonial Williamsburg for 21 years.

A professional engineer emeritus in the Commonwealth of Virginia, John was also a life senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, charter member and life senior member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society, life member of Eta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering Honor Fraternity, life member of the Military Officers Association of America and life member of the Civil Engineer Corps/Seabee Historical Foundation, life member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He was also a life member in Perpetuity of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Scottish and York Rites, and Knight Templar.

Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, June 14, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road., Williamsburg, where services will begin at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Development Office, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767; Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188; or the Multi Ministry Building Fund at James River Baptist Church, 4931 Centerville Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.