John Emmons Abernathy Jr.

John Emmons Abernathy Jr., 89, of Monrovia, Maryland, passed from this life on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Kline Hospice House in Mount Airy, Maryland.

He was born December 23, 1936, the son of late John Emmons Abernathy and Mary Randall Abernathy. He is survived by his wife Melissa Jane Hast Abernathy of 67 years, and his four children, Michelle, husband Ron, John B., Rebecca, husband Bob, and Jeremy, wife Lauren. John is affectionately known as "Grandy" to his grandchildren, Griffin, Keegan, Drew, Jordan, wife Rachel, Melia, husband Thomas, Jaden, Ellia, and Brooks. 

In addition to his parents; he is predeceased by his infant daughter, Malia, and his sister Betty. 

He graduated from Suitland High School in 1955, where he played basketball and was vice president of the National Honor Society, then from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and completed numerous graduate courses at the University of Maryland and George Washington University. He served in the Air Force National Guard and Reserves for six years. He worked in industry for twelve years as an electrical engineer, becoming a program manager for testing and redesigning communication facilities, including those in Germany. He led the security tests of the NORAD facility in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado and was consultant for the Space Shuttle program. 

In 1974 he began work at the Defense Intelligence where he advanced to Division Chief for the agency’s security, managing guard forces, physical security professionals, technical countermeasures specialists (bug finders), and engineers. Greater responsibilities were the oversight of all DOD Special Compartmental Intelligence Facilities, including military services, other DOD agencies, their contractors, and security liaison with the State Department for the Defense Attache Offices in the embassies. He served as the DOD representative on interagency intelligence and security committees.

He loved playing basketball, gardening, singing bass, and jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and genealogy research. Above all he loved and watched over his family, he served in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including bishop, stake president, patriarch, and as a sealer in the Washington D. C. Temple for 25 years.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Friday, August 7, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 7255 Ridge Rd, Mt Airy, Maryland 21771. 

A celebration of John's life journey will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, August 7, 2026, at church.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick, Maryland.