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John was a graduate of Columbia City High School, Columbia City Indiana (1948), where he played on the football team. After high school, he worked at Kroger for a year, then enlisted in the United States Air Force in the spring of 1949. While in the Air Force, he was stationed in Monterey, CA where he attended the Army language school, studying Russian. He was also stationed in Washington DC, where he met and married Robbie Nell Tays of Killen, Alabama, He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1954.

John attended Florence State University (now the University of North Alabama) for three semesters; graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering; and from Purdue University in 1962 with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.

After college, John worked at Martin Corporation in Florida. He then worked for, and rose through the ranks at, Magnavox Corporation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, until 1974 when he formed Energystics Corporation, an avionics consulting firm. He sold Energystics in 1987 and formed Link Staff Services, Inc., a business and government avionics consulting company, in Panama City, Florida. In 1987 John was recruited by North American Phillips as a Vice President, and John and Robbie moved back to Fort Wayne. John retired from North American Phillips in 1994, having risen to the office of Senior Vice President of Engineering.

In 1987 John T. Link was named as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Engineering School of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, one of only 150 honored nationwide in the inaugural class, for all years prior to 1987.

After retirement, John could not sit still. He continued in business as a principal in D&N Microengineering, Fort Wayne, Indiana, a manufacturer of electronic parts for recreational vehicles, x-rays, security equipment and agriculture.

An avid golfer, John was a long time member of Pine Valley Country Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he served as President. John enjoyed his many golfing friends, many times travelling the Robert Trent Jones golf trail in Alabama. Having married an Alabama girl, John not only adopted Alabama as his home, but famously became an avid fan of the Crimson Tide.

In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his brothers Kenneth Marion Link and Gary Shelton Link. His brother David Alvin Link and David's wife Linda G. Link, of Ellenwood, GA, survive him.

John's wife, Robbie Tays Link, survives him, as do his children: son Thomas S. Link and wife Marsha of Fort Wayne, IN; son John S. Link and wife Ruthe Angela, of Fort Wayne, IN; daughter Melinda Link Ogle and husband Hal of Lakewood, CO; and daughter Michelle M. Bernstein and husband Buddy of Memphis, TN. Also surviving are grandchildren Beth Dunning and husband Craig, Meg Lyman, and Peter Kokinakis; Rachel Kannady and husband Geoff, Claire Bernstein, Gabe Morris, Ruth Bernstein and Celeste Morris; Chris Link, Nick Link, Faith Link and Jesse Link; Abby Link, Ben Link and Hannah Link, and seven great grandchildren, Dexter Dunning, Andrew Dunning, Alex Dunning, Amanda Dunning, Mia Lyman, Anna Kannady and Jonas Kannady.

The extended Tays family of Killen, Alabama also survives, including the families of Ruth Alexander and her husband Leon (of blessed memory); Ann Clemmons and husband Ike; Don Tays and wife Judy; Phillip Tays and wife Sharon.

Surviving to cherish John's memory are also many, many friends in Fort Wayne and in Florence Alabama. The family especially wishes to extend gratitude and love to John's caring and constant friends Jim and Barbara Kinsey of Fort Wayne, and Russell and Betty Wardlaw of Florence.

John was a natural leader and teacher, a devoted father and loving husband. He was wise, loving, constant and loyal. His moral compass was true. He inspired all who knew him by the integrity with which he lived and by the grace with which he departed. We will all celebrate his life by striving to follow his example.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial to John's life at Elkins Chapel East, 7235 Highway 72, Killen, Alabama 35645 on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 1:30 p.m., immediately followed by a graveside service at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Center Star.

Donations to the American Lung Society would be an honor to John's memory.">

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