J. S. (John) Isom

Retired U.S. Air Force TSgt. J. S. (John) Isom, age 87, of Murphysboro, passed away at 2:04 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the Rehab and Care Center of Jackson County, Murphysboro, IL. Gravesite services will be held at 2:00 p.m Friday, April 18, 2008, at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park with Rev. Kerry Bean officiating with military services conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Post # 7190 and 2605, and the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Murphysboro, IL or the Masonic Children's Home in Murphysboro. There will be no visitation and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Pettett Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. J.S. (John) Isom was born on February 27, 1921, in Murphysboro, to John Samuel and Augusta (Cluster) Isom. He graduated from Murphysboro Township High School in 1938 and attended Southern Illinois Normal University until he was called into service during World War II. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in September of 1942 and served with the 18th Repair Squadron in India and at Abadan Air Base in Iran; then was transferred to Air Transport Command at John Payne Field near Cairo, Egypt. He returned to Scott Air Force Base and was discharged in December of 1945. At that time, Sgt. Isom returned to his studies at Southern Illinois University in 1946 and graduated with a BS in Education in 1947. He taught Industrial Arts in the Grand Tower Schools of grades 7 through 12 from 1947 until June of 1951, and worked on his Master's Degree during the summer months at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. He was recalled to active duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict in June of 1951 adn served with teh AIr Training Command Headquarters at Scott Air Force Base until 1956, when he transferred to the 4th Radio Relay Squadron at Sidi Slamane Air Base in Morocco. He returned to A.T.C. Headquaraters at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, in 1958, adn remained there until begin assigned to the Pacific Far East Command at Okinawa, Japan in 1964. He served a tour of duty at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Vietnam in 1964 and 1965 before being assigned to the AIr Force Orientation Group at Wright-Patterons AIr Force Base in Dayton, Ohio in September of 1965. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and retired from active duty on July 1, 1968. T Sgt. Isom was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Murphysboro; a life member of the Air Force Sergeants Association; a Charter and Life member of the V.F.W. Post # 7190; a 50 year member of the Murphysboro Aerie # 670 Fraternal Order of Eagles; a life member, Treasurer, and Past Master of the Murphysboro Lodge # 498 A.F. & A. M.; a 50 year member, past E.H.P. and Secretary of Murphysboro Chapter # 164 Royal Arch Masons; Past T.I.M Recorder and 50 year member of Murphysboro Council # 49 Royal and Select Masters of Criptic Masons; Secretary of Murphysboro Shrine Club for 22 years; a 50 year and life member and 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Southern Illinois; a 50 year member of Ainaid Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of East St. Louis; a 50 year member and a Past Patron of Electa & Ruth Chapter Order of Easter Star # 379; 50 year member and Past Watchman of Shepards of Murphysboro White Shrine of Jerusalem; and served several years on the Advisory Board of Murphysboro Assembly # 101 Rainbow Girls, where he was awarded the Grand Cross of Color. He was also a life member of the Illinois Priory # 11, Knight of York Cross of Honor; Southern Illinois York Rite College # 33; National Sojourners Jesse B. Thomas Chapter # 547; a Life Member of Patton Commandery # 69; a Past Commander and member of the Beauseant Commandery # 86 Knights Templar of Murphysboro. Survivors include several cousins and best friends Judith J. Jackson and former student and Brother Mason Donald R. Barrett. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Dorothy Loy.

J. S. (John) Isom

February 27, 1921 - April 16, 2008