John Robert Kling

John Robert Kling, age 89, died on January 6, 2023 at home. He was born August 16, 1933, in Union County, PA to Anna and John Weber Kling. They moved to Dumont, NJ, where John grew up and met his wife Barbara, who moved next door to him when he was 12 and she was 10. He attended the New York State Maritime College at Fort Schuyler where he received degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. After graduation, he and Barbara were married and moved to Arlington, VA where he worked for the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. He served for 2 years as a naval officer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard then returned to D.C. where he helped design ships and also served as project manager of the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers. Hard work lead to an early retirement which allowed him to have decades of time on his sheep farm in the hills of Washington County, VA. John was a long-time vendor at the Abingdon Farmers Market. He was quick to give an encouraging word or lend a listening ear.

John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara; four children, Kenneth John and wife Janet Kling, Susan and husband Michael Hayter, Carl Edward and wife Susan Kling, and Jennifer Rosemary Kling; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He belonged to St. Thomas Episcopal Church and generously supported Ecumenical Faith in Action (EFiA), Salvation Army, Haven of Rest and other charities.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to EFiA, Salvation Army, Haven of Rest of the charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 124 E.  Main Street, Abingdon, VA. The funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. with Father Boyd Evans. The burial will follow at Holston Conference Cemetery, Emory, VA. Pallbearers will be Carl Kling, Robert Kling, Viktor Kling and Michael Hayter.

The family of John Robert Kling is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.