John Robert Showell, veteran, structural design engineer

John Robert Showell, 95, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Lewes. He was born in McKees Rocks, Pa., son of the late Sam Houston Showell Sr. and Beulah Imogene Ittel.

After graduating from Millsboro High School, John enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as a flight surgeon’s assistant. He later pursued engineering studies at University of Delaware and Texas Christian University. Throughout his career, John worked as a structural design engineer on the Redstone and Jupiter missiles at Chrysler Missile Division and contributed to the development of the RVX-1 and 1C Reentry vehicles and the MK2 Data Capsule for General Electric’s Missile & Space Division. Alongside his work in aerospace, John fulfilled his interest in aviation by earning his private pilot’s license. After joining Boeing and experiencing the layoffs of 1970, he returned to Delaware to help manage White House Beach Inc. alongside his parents and brothers. John served as president from 2017 until his passing.

A 70-year Mason and Master Mason, John was a member of Julien Feild Lodge No. 908 in Fort Worth, Texas His love of music was expressed in playing the piano, ukulele, and concertina, and in performing with a barbershop quartet in Ocean View. He sang with his wife, Louise, in the choir at Long Neck Methodist Church and enjoyed ballroom dancing at the Shawnee Dance Club in Milford. A dedicated tennis player, he founded the Lewes Tennis Club and rarely missed a game. Known for his humor, he entertained his grandchildren with his favorite jokes around the family table and loved showing them magic tricks passed down from his father.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife with whom he shared 73 years of love, companionship, and memories, Betty Louise; two sons, James Paul and John Robert Jr.; three brothers, Sam H. Jr. and his wife Linda Banks, William H., and David Ittel. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Alan Showell (Wang Li); daughters, Judith Ann Loeber (James) and Jill Louise Showell; grandchildren, Wendy Ann Weimer (John), Sarah Tyndal Loeber (Stephyn Ackermann), CJ Offidani (Veronica Paredes), Kimberley Louise Showell (Ryan Rice) and Kyle Robert Offidani (Buket Dirig); two great-grandsons, Phoenix and Jameson Ackermann; and by Judith T. Wade, with whom he felt blessed to reunite in his later years. John will be forever missed by those who knew him as Dad, GrandDude, GreatDude, and J.R. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Hilda Megee Showell; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. George’s Chapel churchyard, Harbeson. 

Donations may be made in John’s honor to Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

Arrangements are under the care of Burbage Funeral Home, Berlin, Md.

Letters of condolence can be sent to the family at burbagefuneralhome.com.