Final Salute

John Vinson Enlow Sr, age 77, of Springfield, MO. passed away on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO.
John was born on Wednesday, June 18th, 1947, in Springfield, MO at St. John’s Hospital to Alfred and Margaret (Willhite) Enlow.
He is survived by his siblings, James “Jim” Enlow, Martha Trivitt, Mary Schwartz, and twin brother, Paul Enlow (who he was proudly 2-minutes older than) all of Springfield.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Margaret Enlow, as well as a nephew Michael.
John was the proud parent of, John (Daine) Enlow of Neosho, MO and Vanessa Hale of Springfield. He was the proud grandparent of Ashley (Bruce), Lacey (Chad), Brittany, Steven, Shawn and Sarah. The proud great-grandparent of Skyler, Mackenzie, Lilly, Easton, Calie, Eli, Ross and multiple nieces and nephews that he loved as his own.
John graduated from Central High School in 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964 in the Reserves until he graduated high school where he went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy from January 1966 to July of 1970. He then rejoined the Naval Reserves in 1977 as a Navy Seabee until he retired in July of 1995. During his time in the Navy, he served on the U.S.S. Intrepid, U.S.S. New Port News, and the U.S.S. Semmes. During his time in the military, he earned multiple awards including, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Battle ‘E’ (2 awards), Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), National Defense Medal (2 awards), Vietnam Special Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, M16A1 Rifle Expert Qualification and Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist. After his military deployment he spent 28 years of his life working for Zenith and then went on to work for Springfield Public Schools for 20 years.
John loved to fish and hunt in his younger years, especially coon hunting with Clarence. He would sit around and tell stories about going hunting for hours to anyone who would listen. Telling coon hunting stories were his favorite to tell. He loved listening to bluegrass music and would often take the trip to Starvy Creek in the summer for the Bluegrass festival. He loved nothing more than spending time with his family, but the grandkids and great grandkids would create a smile that nobody else could create.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Klingner-Cope Funeral Home at White Chapel; 5234 W. State Hwy EE. Springfield, MO 65802. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm. Burial with full military honors will follow funeral service in the White Chapel Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
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