John F. Champion

John Frederick Champion was born March 26, 1935, the son of John and Viola Champion. He died at the Denison Care Center, Friday, January 15, 2016 at the age of eighty.
John was born on a farm near Manilla, Iowa. He received his early education in the community schools of Manilla. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country in Wireman Maintenance with the H & S Btry 692nd Battalion. While in the Army, he qualified and was decorated as an expert marksman. He was honorably discharged from the service in October 1956. He returned to Iowa to continue his education at Iowa State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, graduating with the class of 1961.
John was united in marriage to Donella Rabe, December 20, 1958. The couple was blessed with the birth of four children. He was employed at General Dynamics in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Roswell, New Mexico; and San Diego, California..He worked on various missile defense projects, nuclear weapons and various aspects of the astronaut program. He subsequently served with the Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha, Nebraska.
In his leisure time, John enjoyed playing golf and enjoyed a 3 handicap. He kept up with current events and was a devoted Democrat. In younger years, John was involved with track, basket ball and foot ball. He was a fan of Iowa State Basketball, but his foot ball allegiance was with the University of Iowa. While living in Omaha, he was a member of several bowling leagues. He loved international traveling, living and working in such areas that included Saudi Arabia and Germany. When younger, he fished and hunted Elk and Moose and skiing in Austria and Germany.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Donella, two brothers, Michael and James and his wife, Nancy. Survivors include: two sons, James; Joel and his wife, Sandra; two daughters, Cathy; and Cindy and her husband, Mark; eight grandchildren; one sister Marilyn and one sister-in-law, Janice; nieces nephews other relatives and friends.