Johns Hopkins Redd, Jr.

Johns Hopkins Redd, Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully at home on May 12, 2023. He was born April 20th, 1931 to Johnny and June Redd in Richmond, Virginia.

Johns Hopkins Redd is and was affectionately known by the many who knew him as “Papa Redd” or “Hoppy”. While humble in nature, his famous one liners were endearing as well as entertaining.

Hoppy was a cadet at Virginia Tech where he studied Mechanical Engineering. As an Alumnus, he proudly flew his Hokie flag and wore his maroon and gold attire on game days.

He continued his education as he pursued his career, attending Trinity College where he studied Physics, Fairleigh Dickinson where he studied Industrial Management, and Regis College/University of Colorado where he studied Aeronautical Engineering.

He served in the US Air Force from 1951 – 1955 and is a Korean War Veteran. Thereafter he worked as an engineer for RCA, International Telephone Telegraph and the Federal Electric Corporation. Over the years he served as the Project Director for the European Wideband Communication, Deputy Director of Engineering for the Saudi Arabia Air Traffic Control and the Director for the European Mediterranean Tropo Systems.

He had many hobbies beside aeronautics. He was an avid locomotive train fan, a passion that stemmed from his grandfather, an engineer on the Norfolk Southern line, who took him on childhood rides on the big steam locomotives. His construction of full room model train platforms were legendary. He loved his antique blue Sunbeam convertible, and was seen at many car shows and parades. He was also a passionate student of history, especially of the War between the States, which took him on many a battlefield excursion tracing the exploits of John S. Mosby, Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. He loved all types of crossword puzzles and had every type of Rubik’s cube. He loved his dogs throughout his life, Tippy, Stonewall, several Ginnies, Andy, Betsy, Bonnie, Elfie and Bella. He never had a dog he didn’t spoil rotten!

With family roots going back to the 1600s in Churchland, Virginia, regardless of where he hung his hat, Papa Redd always called Virginia home. He had a particular affection for the Shenandoah Valley and the town of Lexington. He marveled at the sunrises over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

He was a follower of Christ and longed for the day when he would be reunited with his beloved wife, Dru, married for 59 years, his brother Jim, his beloved cousins, Kayo and Austin.

He is survived by his son, Johns H. Redd III of Cleveland, his daughter Catherine Carter and her husband, David of Cleveland, Son Joseph T. Redd and wife, Heidi, of Kamas Utah, daughter Jeannette McIninch and her husband, Bruce, of The Woodlands, TX; his brother Joseph Redd and his wife Jeannette of S.Charleston, WV; Grandchildren: Caroline, Codie, JT, Calum, Ian and Megan. Great grandchildren: Briley, Charles Hopkins and Emily.

Services will be Wednesday, May 24th at 4pm at St Joseph’s Church, Osage & C street in Cleveland Oklahoma. A reception in the church hall to follow.

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