John Paul "Jack" Witmer

It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father John Paul “Jack” Witmer. Jack passed away peacefully at his home in Laurel, MD on January 28, 2024, surrounded by his five daughters. Jack was born to Lillian Cecilia Witmer and Paul James Witmer in Washington, DC on December 29, 1935. They moved to Laurel in September, 1939, just shy of his fourth birthday.

Jack was an energetic child who battled asthma but that did not keep him from playing his favorite sports. In his early years he worked as a pin setter at the old Laurel Bowling alley and went on to play on a bowling league as a young adult. Jack attended Saint Mary of the Mills Catholic School until eighth grade then transferred to the old Laurel High School where he graduated in 1954. During his high school years, he was an avid and skilled baseball and basketball player. Students gave him the nickname of “Az” and would chant it from the bleachers whenever he would have to sit out for a break due to his asthma. Jack also loved to dance. Even winning dance contests in his early years.

After graduating high school Jack went on to work for NSA for six years. First at Arlington Hall then at Fort Meade until August of 1962. He played for the NSA Sparks baseball team during his time there. He also worked part-time at Giant Food during his NSA years. He decided that a desk job was not for him, so he left that behind and started a new career. He then moved on to be a manager at Jumbo Food and finally moved on to be a head night stocker at Safeway in 1972 where he eventually retired from in 2002 after 41 years of service in total. Jack was also a Real Estate Agent in Laurel part-time for many years before retiring.

Jack loved conversation and had a memory that never ceased to amaze anyone who knew him. He could talk for hours about history, sports, old city of Laurel stories, current events or just about anything. A “gift to gab” that he passed on to his daughters. Jack loved traveling, watching sports (The Redskins, The Washington Nationals, The Washington Capitals and the Wizards, just to name a few), listening to music, watching his favorite sports show- The Sports Junkies, and spending time with family.  Jack also loved being at his beach house and spending time with his neighbors, both in Laurel and at his OCMD home.

Jack is survived by his brother Dennis Witmer and Sister-In Law, Pat Witmer and his four nieces and nephews. Jack is also survived by his five daughters: Terry (Richard) Giddings, Kim Witmer, Lisa Kreis, Taimi McKay and Tracy (Nick) Totaro. Jack leaves behind a dozen grandchildren; Casie Giddings, Westley Giddings, Destinee Kreis, Luke Kreis, Jesse Kreis (Katie), Jenna McKay (Rob), Jordan McKay (Lindy), Kellen McKay (Jess) Courtney McKay (Kevin) Gianna (Anthony) Parenti, Daniella Totaro and Dominic Totaro. Jack is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Baine McKay, Reign Kreis, Ripley Kreis and Pepper Musisko. Jack was so proud of each of them. Jack is also survived by Jack Kreis and Ricky McKay.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lillian Witmer and Paul Witmer and by our loving mother, Norma Smith Witmer and former Mother-In-Law Regina Smith.

Visitation for Jack will be held on Thursday, February 1st from 4-7 pm in the chapel at the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Ave, Laurel.  Church service will be held on Friday, February 2nd at 10:30 am at Good Hope Presbyterian Church 12131 Scaggsville Rd, Highland MD with burial to follow at Emmanuel United Methodist Church 10755 Scaggsville Rd, Laurel.

Memorial donations may be made in Jack’s honor to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.