John Wharton Luce

June 1, 1928 - January 2, 2020

John Wharton Luce, 91, died peacefully January 2, 2020 at his home at Aston Gardens in Tampa, FL. He was born June 1, 1928 in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania to Alexander Walker Luce and the former Gladness Irene Wharton. He married the former Nancy Harriet Armstrong January 26, 1963 in Annapolis, MD. She died after nearly 50 years of marriage. He graduated from Vermont Academy in 1946 and earned a BSEE degree from Norwich University in 1950. He was a designer of the world's first controlled nuclear power reactor and subsequent nuclear submarines, frigate, aircraft carrier and electric generating station. He also designed Naval sonar, plastics machinery and neutron generators. He taught at Hillsborough Community College and The University of South Florida and held nine U.S. patents. He was a life member of: The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, The American Watchmakers Institute, The Masonic Lodge, The Scottish Rite, The Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), The National Rifle Association, Tau Beta Pi and The National Engineering Honor Society. He was a licensed professional Engineer, Watchmaker, commercial and amateur radio operator. He was a champion rifle shot, an avid water skier and cruising sailor. He and Nancy built the yacht "Lucida", a 33 foot oceangoing sailboat and cruised for two years. He was active in the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and the United States Power Squadrons. He was a Captain in the Army Signal Corps Reserve. He was a 32 degree Mason and past master of Palma Ceia Lodge No. 290 F&AM, Tampa, FL. He is survived by a brother, David W., of Pacific Palisades, CA, a sister, Mary L. Wellington of Tucson, AZ and a step daughter, Barbara E. Gavaghan of Salisbury, MD, He was predeceased by a brother, Philip B., and a sister, Judith L. Reynolds. He moved to Tampa in 1976 from Maryland. Inurnment will be in Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Annapolis, MD.