John Richard Facey, 83, went home peacefully to the Lord on February 9, 2025, after battling multiple illnesses.
Born in Trenton, N.J., he was the son of the late Samuel and Mildred Facey. He was predeceased by 2 brothers and 1 sister. Growing up on a dairy farm, he learned how to fix or repair things when needed. A skill that has been put to good use many times over the years. After graduating from Hamilton High School, he went to Georgia Tech for further studies. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1963 with honors as an aerospace engineer. John worked at the Naval Air Turbine Test Station in West Trenton testing jet engines until 1978 when he moved his family to Clarksburg, MD. He initially worked for the Department of Energy and then switched to NASA to work on several aerospace programs. John also did further studies at MIT while working for NASA. He retired from NASA in 1994.
John enjoyed working outside all the time. As part of his legacy, he mixed 375 sixty-pound bags of concrete by hand and built a 200-foot-long stone wall along the back driveway the month after he retired. He owned property on the Potomac River in WV and had many weekend family gatherings and memories made there for 33 years. He enjoyed camping and following the granddaughters' ball tournaments on the east coast. Anyone who knew John knew that he was always happy to be in the woods cutting down dead trees and splitting it for firewood. It was his passion and almost a daily activity.
John survived by his loving wife, Arlene, of 60 years. He is also survived by two daughters, Laura Edwards (husband Craig) of Severna Park, MD and Lynn Smith of Smithsburg, MD. John will be dearly missed by his 5 grandchildren: Chelsea Casto (husband Dan), Carly Antoine (husband Jethro), Cydney Moore, Izak Smith, and Ava Smith. He will also be missed by a special niece, Joyce Ferrare, of Albuquerque, NM. His faithful granddog, Mya, will miss sleeping on his feet.
At John's request. There will be No Visitation, and interment will be private with just the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mountain View Methodist Church, 11501 Mountain View Road, Damascus, MD 20872 or a charity of your choice.
Rest in peace John. We love you and miss you!
Online condolences may be shared with the family at: www.molesworthwilliams.com