On the fifth of June, we lost our Uncle Johnny. He was 77 years old. He is survived by his three younger siblings and their families. A consummate scientist, he was ever interested in the world around him. Funny, patient, curious, frugal, jolly and grumpy, he was both spontaneous and a creature of habit. He was interested in rocks, reptiles, and reefs alike and loved to share his knowledge with those around him. When he was a child, he had aspirations to be an “author on reptiles”, a “reptile house manager”, a “naturalist” or a “honey raiser”. After high school, he got his bachelor’s in Geology from Old Dominion College (soon to be University) in Norfolk, VA. After he returned from the Vietnam War, he went back to get his master’s in Oceanography from ODU. He was at home on and in water, with or without SCUBA, and on research vessels, including a minisub with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Miami, FL. It was at this time that he met the renowned scientist Bob Dietz, and began a years-long professional relationship that brought him all around the world and resulted in dozens of scientific papers and presentations. Dietz convinced John to go with him to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he eventually earned a PhD in geology, mostly while working on staff at Arizona State University in Tempe. He was dedicated to his work and did groundbreaking work in meteor-impact theories. With the Astro Solar Systems Physics Program in the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he researched Martian meteorites and helped design a rock hammer on the Mars Rover. His passion for the world around him was infectious. Every one of his nieces and nephews have been steered toward some field of science (professionally or casually) by his enthusiasm. He loved traveling and learning about other cultures. He was conversant in Spanish and German and could make a mean pot of black beans cooked with orange peel and “dirty rice”, always with a generous dash of cayenne powder. He was a lifelong student, nomad, and collector of stories. Not just stories about his work, but stories about everything from bike accidents to global adventures. We will miss him more than we can put into words. Bon Voyage, uncle Johnny. Or, as he would sign off, “Cheers! - John F. McHone.” Arrangements are private. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, is assisting the family. Written by his nieces, Kirstin, Bonnie, and Wendy.