John “JJ” J. Sagul

Captain John J. “JJ” Sagul, USMC, Retired, 61, died peacefully in his sleep at home Saturday, December 23, 2017.  He fought a long and valiant battle with stage IV lung cancer.  Service: 3 pm Friday in Biggers Funeral Chapel.  A visitation and reception will follow.  Interment: 10 am Saturday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

John was born in Fort Eustis, VA on April 21, 1956.  He was one of eight children of the late Lt. Colonel, John C. Sagul, US ARMY, Retired and Bernadette (Mumaw) Sagul.  John attended middle school in Georgia.  In high school he was active on the cross-country and track team (state champions in 1974), liked to scuba dive and attained the Boy Scouts highest achievement rank of Eagle Scout.  He graduated from Spencer High School with the class of ’74.

John continued his education at the Florida Institute of Technology, the University of Florida, Santa Fe Community College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  He graduated in 1985 with a BS in Professional Aeronautics.

John enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1978 and completed basic training at MCRD Parris Island, SC and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class.  He attended the Aircraft Environmental and Egress Systems Mechanic School from January to April 1979 and graduated as class Honor Man and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal.  From May to August 1979 he attended the A-6 “E” Systems FRAMP and NAMTRADET Schools in Virginia and graduated class Honor Man from both.

John was assigned as an Aircraft Environmental and Egress Systems Mechanic to the US Marine All-Weather Attack Training Squadron – 202 in Cherry Point, NC from August 1979 to December 1981.  He was promoted to Corporal in 1980 and Sergeant in 1981.  He served as an aircraft mechanic instructor “E” Systems in NAS Memphis, TN from January 1982 to January 1986.  In 1983, John was named Marine of the Year and Master Training Specialist.  He was assigned to the US Marine All Weather Attack Squadron – 553 (HAWKS) from January 1986 to May 1989 in MCAS Cherry Point, NC, during which time he was promoted to Staff Sergeant on October 1, 1987 aboard USS John F. Kennedy in the Mediterranean Sea.  He served on two worldwide deployments aboard USS JFK (CV-67).  During this time period he attended Staff Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy Career Course at MCB Quantico, VA and finished in the Top 10. John served as a drill instructor MCRD Parris Island, SC from March 1989 – February 1990 and finished in the Top 10 at Drill Instructor School.  He was promoted to Warrant Officer on February 1, 1990.  John was an Aircraft Maintenance Officer from February 1990 to February 2000.  During this time, he completed the Warrant Officer Basic Course at MCB Quantico, VA and Aircraft Maintenance Officers’ School in NAS Pensacola, Florida.  He finished Top 10 at both.  John was assigned as a Quality Assurance Officer to the US Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron – 31 (STINGERS) from September 1990 to March 1992 in MCAS Beaufort, SC.  He was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer – 2 on February 1, 1992.  From March 1992 – June 1996, he was assigned to the US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron – 251 (Thunderbolts) as a Maintenance/Material Control Officer in MCAS Beaufort, SC.  During this time, he participated in worldwide deployments to Western Pacific, Aviano Air Base, Italy (in support of Bosnia Operations), and aboard USS America (in support of Bosnia and Persian Gulf Operations).  He was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer – 3 aboard the USS America in the Persian Gulf.  John would finally serve with the US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron – 112 (Cowboys) as a Squadron Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO) from June 1996 to February 2000, NAS, JRB, Fort Worth, TX; serving worldwide deployments to Alaska, Hawaii and Egypt in support of Global Operations and to train Reserve Pilots and Maintenance Personnel for future Operations.  He was promoted to Captain in October 1996.  John retired on February 1, 2000.

John went to work for the public sector joining American Airlines.  He worked with them from February 2000 – February 2003 and served as a Production Control Scheduler, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor and Production Control Supervisor during that time.  In February 2003, John went to work for Bell Helicopter as a V – 22 OSPREY Integrated Logistics Support Specialist.  He finally went to work for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company as a Flightline Supervisor in the F- 16 Operations in 2004; leaving that company in 2014.  During his time with Lockheed, he served as a Crew Chief on critical F-16 milestones and deliveries to foreign countries, to include the LAST USAF F-16 Jet delivered and crew chief for the BF – 1, the first USMC STOVL F-35.

John married Sarah Kramberg, also a US Marine, on January 24, 1981 in Newport Baptist Church in Newport, NC.  They renewed their vows in June 1990 at Depot Chapel, MCRD Parris Island, SC.

John is survived by his wife, Sarah; sons, Johnathan and Christopher Sagul; mother, Bernadette Sagul; brothers, Tim Sagul and his wife, Kathy Karpinia, Doug Sagul and his wife Peggy, Ed Sagul; sisters, Annette Sagul, Kathy Bochenski and her husband Ed, Judy McNeal and her husband, Joel, and Cyndi White and her husband Robert; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.