John David Wanamaker

John David Wanamaker, 62, passed away unexpectedly on April 26, 2026.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, John was a Buckeye by birth, but he spent most of his life in Northern Virginia and made his home in Centreville, Virginia, for the past 30 years.

John was smart, funny, and kind. He spent his career as a dedicated IT professional - someone who knew IT from coding through operations; and knew how to fix systems when they broke. In IT work, or life in general, John would take on challenging problems and keep working at them until he had figured out a solution. The part of John that never shied away from a challenge, carried through every part of his life. John did not like paying someone else to do something he believed he could do himself. Whether it was repairing a car, renovating a home, growing a vegetable garden, or fixing a firearm that stopped working he was always up for the challenge. He would read a book, watch a YouTube video (or two), gather the right tools, and get to work. In addition to taking on challenges and learning new skills, John relished the opportunity to share his knowledge with others. John was a kind and patient teacher that felt true joy and satisfaction when he saw others acquire a skill that he had taught them. Nothing made John happier than knowing he had taught someone something that the person could then use and enjoy for the rest of their lives.

John's practical, determined, spirit was acquired during childhood, growing up in a family with Volkswagens for transportation, and that always were in need of some kind of repair. One of John’s more recent accomplishments was a major undertaking: painstakingly replacing all of the original piping in his townhouse with copper, a project that perfectly reflected his patience, intelligence, and stubborn belief that he could figure it out.

John was an avid outdoorsman and was happiest outside. He loved surf fishing in the Outer Banks of North Caroline or catching trout in the pools of Virginia's backwoods streams, shooting clays at Bull Run or Izzak Walton in Leesburg, kayaking, and hunting. He looked forward to the annual pheasant hunt with friends and the arrival of deer season. Whether he was heading into the woods alone or with one of his buddies, he would always come home happy that he had the opportunity to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors. He loved telling stories about those adventures, and he told them with the humor and detail that made people feel as though they had been right there with him. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge about firearms, a marksman with rifles - which he inherited from his Father - and a master of all things that involved shooting, operating, and fixing shotguns.

When John was not off enjoying the outdoors, he could often be found in his driveway tinkering with his truck or Mustang, helping neighbors with a 'fixit' project, joining friends online with his Xbox, playing cornhole with neighbors, or tending the garden with his sister - a hobby they took up during COVID. Beyond the usual tomatoes and peppers, he was especially proud of the watermelons and broccoli. In recent years, John had developed an interest in cooking and trying out new healthy recipes. And if there was a way to grow the ingredients himself, that was his first choice. He was disappointed to learn this Spring that asparagus takes a few years before it is ready to harvest and eat.

While John believed there was no greater sports team than the Cincinnati Reds 'Big Red Machine,' John was an enthusiastic fan of several Washington DC sports teams. John could spend hours celebrating, analyzing, and discussing a recent victory, or bemoaning a missed opportunity for a win, by any of John's favorite sports teams - the Washington Redskins (John never liked the name change), the Washington Nationals, and the Washington Capitals. John's spirited fandom will be remembered fondly by the friends and family he joined at the games.

John is survived by his older brother, Tom (and his wife Beth), and his younger sister, Sarah. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Doris, and by his devoted golden retrievers, Abby and Zack. John loved all dogs, but Abby and Zack held a very special place in his heart. They were his loyal companions and great travelers, joining him on trips, long or short, to Minnesota for a very frigid Christmas, on multiple drives up and down the I-95 corridor to Florida, or to the local Roy Rogers for a burger. And, just as importantly, they enjoyed quiet days hanging out on the couch with their 'Dad.'

John will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, kindness, infectious laughter, self-reliance, love of a good cup of coffee, his zeal for a right off the line hot Krispy Kreme doughnut, and deep love of the outdoors. He had a gift for fixing things, for learning by doing, and for making a life filled with good stories, good friends, loyal dogs, and the satisfaction of a job well done by his own hands.

John will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him, but we can console ourselves that there is little doubt John was met with great joy, and much tail wagging, by Abby and Zack on the Rainbow Bridge. May they rest in peace forever, together.