John C. Mosby

John Clifton Mosby was born October 29, 1943, in the rural mountains of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to the late John C. Mosby and Ruth A. Morris.  He graduated from Oliver High School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962, and later married his high school sweetheart, the former Mary Spell, on August 1, 1964.   After growing up in Pennsylvania, then traveling through 27 countries he made Temple Hills, MD his home with his family.

John joined the U.S Marine Corps in 1962.  God brought him through the Cuban Missile Crisis and two tours in Vietnam.  He served in various assignments and retired as a Master Sergeant of Marines in 1984.  During his twilight cruise in Hawaii, he served as the Human Resources Officer Pacific and attended Chaminade University of Honolulu for three years.  Also, while in Hawaii he was raised as a Master Mason on June 24, 1983 at the Waianae Lodge #357.

Throughout their careers he and his loving wife along with their family were blessed to be able to travel and live in several states within the U.S.  After his retirement from the Marines he worked a few civil service positions before venturing out and opening his own BBQ catering business; Blue Smoke Catering.  He was known in the catering world and amongst family and friends for his flavorful and tender BBQ ribs and chicken.

John knew God and was a faithful believer.  He was baptized Easter Sunday 1979 at the Mount Hope Baptist Church, in Mt. Union, Pennsylvania, where Reverend Owens was the pastor.

John was a proud man who cherished his family.  He was always willing to share a story, teach a lesson, tell a joke, and even give a lecture or two, when needed.   John made God, Family, and the Marines his top priorities.

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