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John Thomas Fawcett, 80, Washington, DC
Obituaries · December 13, 2023
John Thomas Fawcett, 80, of Washington, DC, originally from West Branch, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023.
John was born in West Branch, Iowa, on Nov. 27, 1943, to Floyd and Mary Helen Fawcett.
In addition to helping with the family farm, John was an Eagle Scout and track star. While studying physics at the University of Iowa, he took a job as a night watchman for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library which resulted in his change in majors and a new vocation.
Upon graduation, John attended the Archival Training Program and was assigned to the Office of Presidential Libraries before he was drafted for the Vietnam War.
At his basic training graduation, John was assigned to the White House to assist President Johnson in establishing his Presidential Library (much to his drill sergeant’s surprise). He was later detailed to the LBJ Library and continued to work there following his discharge.
John served as the Executive Director of the Hoover Foundation and the Assistant Director of the Hoover Library.
In 1987 he became the Assistant Archivist for Presidential Libraries. After his retirement in 1994, he founded John Fawcett & Associates and consulted on archival issues and served as a trustee for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, and the Mary Baker Eddy Library.
John loved inspecting construction projects (though not always with permission), helping with harvest, travel adventures, correcting people’s grammar (especially his daughter’s), telling old stories, hanging out with friends and family, and a cold Coors Light.
John is survived by his children, Allen Fawcett (Elaine Zimmerman) and Katherine Fawcett (Lee Suggs); his grandchildren, Owen and Noa Fawcett; his siblings Martha Luke, Ken (Helen) Fawcett, and Margie (Tom) Green; his very close special friend Jacqui Cooper; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
A visitation for John will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Francis Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd West, Silver Spring, MD. All are welcome for lunch and a beer afterwards at The 4 Corners Pub, 10111 Sutherland Rd, Silver Spring, MD.
A celebration of his life will be held later this spring in West Branch, IA.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Hoover Presidential Foundation and the Boy Scouts of America.
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