COLUMBUS
John Raymond Piper Jr, 73, of Columbus passed from this life on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 11:08 a.m. at Columbus Regional Hospital.
Born on September 8, 1948, to SGM (R) John Raymond Piper and Naomi (Edwards-Storer) Piper at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. John lived in several places as a child including Indianapolis, North Carolina, Arizona, Brown County and Columbus, Indiana. He graduated high school in 1966 from Columbus North. John married Carolyn June Dobbs on October 13, 1967, and they had three children together.
He retired as an Infantry Major from the US Army after spending 27 years in various organizations such as the Indiana National Guard’s D Company Ranger, 151st Infantry (Airborne), the Army Reserve’s 11 Special Force Group and Active-Duty pinnacling in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 21st Theater Army Area Support Command as well as the 5th Special Forces Group.
He was the first in generations of his family to graduate college in 1984 while attending Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis with a dual major bachelor’s degree. He worked for several freight companies over the years as a driver and dispatcher, while culminated with his administering CDL test throughout the State. His passion then came as the Brown County Veterans Service Officer, where he assisted hundreds of veterans in their interactions with The Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Through this job, he touched their lives and ensured they received their due benefits for their service to this Nation.
He loved his family and would always go out of his way to help others out of their troubles.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carolyn J. Dobbs; sons, John III and Dominic; daughter, Jill (Piper-Brown) Mills; give grandchildren, Killian, Layla, Connor, Keegan and Milo; four great grandchildren, Weston, Jacelyn, Cass and Noah; two brothers, Jace and Jeff; and three sisters, Becky, Jennifer, and Julia.
John was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Joan Rene Piper.
The funeral service will be Friday, January 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Jonathan Moore Pike with Rev. Donald W. Neal officiating.
Family and friends may call for visitation from 10:00 a.m. till time of services Friday at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Dobbs Cemetery in Brown County with full military honors.
The family request that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Brown County Veterans Honor Guard or a Youth Group of your choice.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Piper family and a video tribute viewed at www.barkesweaverglick.com.
