John Bernard Moran, 84, of Apex, NC, formerly of Franklinton, NC, passed away on September 29, 2021 surrounded by family.
He was born to parents Leo J. Moran and Marie Langley Moran on November 26, 1936 in Saginaw, MI. John graduated from Midland High School where he received a four year Naval R.O.T.C. scholarship to Illinois Institute of Technology. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps upon receiving his degree in Metallurgical Engineering. John served in the, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Unit as a Communications Officer.
John began his career at Dow Chemical Co. in Midland MI. He moved his family to Cary, NC where he was employed by the E.P.A. It was here that he combined his passion for cars, aircraft, and the environment by helping to build the famous streak of blue Plymouth Charger known as the “Clean Air Car”. Specifically designed and equipped to follow and capture exhaust emissions from departing aircraft at R.D.U. airport. The data and science gathered would become the basis for the Catalytic Converter. He would also contribute in the development of the Catalytic Converter.
John’s desire for justice helped drive many changes for the environment and worker safety during a career focused on regulations in the occupational field. His lifetime pursuit was for air quality standards for firefighters, miners, construction workers, and Federal Emergency Response members. He was a voice of change for occupational safety standards serving as a Director at NIOSH until his retirement in 1988.
Following a short retirement, John moved on to the Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health until 1995, in Washington, D.C., when he retired from active employment to focus on consulting engagements in his later years.
Following the death of his wife Barbara “Jane” Livingston Moran in 1999, the love of his life, John spent time on the open roads of North America in a motor home exploring the many parks and National Monuments in our country.
He settled in Apex in 2014 with his daughter Leanne and her family. He often enjoyed visitation from the children of his church. Known as “Mr. John”, he shared his love for modelling through building and gifting hand built boats, their history, and contributions to naval architecture.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife Jane. Surviving are his children Leslie (Jim) Lassiter of Mount Pleasant, SC, Leanne (Davis) Chamblee of Apex, NC, Jeff Moran of Creedmoor, NC, Neil Gooden of Lexington, SC., and Laura Moran of Myrtle Beach, SC.; his siblings, Jim (Emma) Moran of Pawleys Island, SC, Tom (Kim) Moran of Dearborn Heights, MI, Sherri Moran of Salem, OR, and Trish (Richard) Somsel of Camas, WA.; his grandchildren Benjamin (Emily), Andrew and Erin Lassiter, Preston and Madison Chamblee, Megan Moran, and Savannah Moran.
A memorial service will be held 3 pm Sunday, October 10, 2021 in the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory in Louisburg.
Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.
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