FAIRBORN, OH – Colonel John David Catoe, 88 OMRS Commander WPAFB, age 46, passed away Monday, October 3, 2022. He was born June 23, 1976, in Lancaster, a son of Jimmy L. Catoe and Sadie Raffaldt Catoe and was the husband of Maggie Ann Meditz Catoe. John proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 22 years. He was currently serving at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, OH. Family and those around him he considered family were what brought him joy. He was a man of God.

John is survived by his wife of 22 years, Maggie Catoe; his son, Ronald William Catoe (age 17); his daughter, Anna Ellison Catoe (age 12); his parents, Jim and Sadie Catoe; three brothers, Barry Catoe (Rachel), Roddey Catoe (Rhonda), and Rusty Catoe (Michelle); his beloved extended family, Bruce and Royce Craig, Tim Craig (Pam), Laura Bailey (Bubba), Jennifer Craig, Myra Boone (Greg); father-in-law, Jack Walsh; brother-in-law, Michael Meditz (Laura); sister-in-law, Robyn Webb; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Ronald Meditz; and mother-in-law, Marilou Meditz Walsh.

John was a person who loved God and life. He believed God was good and so were the people that God put here on Earth. His greatest joy were his children, Will and Ellie. He loved an honored his wife Maggie every day. John cherished every moment he could spend with his family, especially his father and mother, Jim and Sadie Catoe. The time they shared talking to each other while he drove to and from work each day meant the world to him. It was not easy to leave home for a career that took him away from those he loved on the Erwin Farm, but God knew how many lives he would touch and sent him out across the world.

His Air Force journey took him to Ohio, deployment to Turkey, the Azores, Texas, Arizona, back to Texas, Florida, South Carolina, and finally back to Ohio. He began his career at the rank of Captain after achieving his pharmacy doctorate at the University of South Carolina in 2000. His first assignment in the Air Force was in the pharmacy at Wright-Patterson AFB and his final assignment, at the esteemed rank of Colonel, was back in that same hospital as the 88 OMRS Commander.

Leading people brought him joy and he was honored to be called to a Command role, for a second time for the Air Force. He excelled at leadership with his "High Five Fridays" and confetti cannon high fives at any celebration he could work one into. Seeing those he led to succeed was all the success he needed. He was not a man about "I did that", he was a man about "we did this". He never sacrificed family time in pursuit of a title or achievement for himself. He and his family loved every minute of his chosen career and did all they could to make the Air Force a better place for those around them who were sincerely their military family.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to those individuals whose heroic efforts could not save John's life and change what God had already planned. It is hoped that this reaches every individual who touched their lives that day. John's children and wife were able to start their journey forward because of your care of them during that time. May God be with you always…

The Celebration of Life Service for John will be 2:00 pm Saturday, October 8, 2022, at White Springs Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Brad Threatt. The family will receive friends after the service in the church fellowship hall. There will also be a service at 9:00 am Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Officer's Club at Wright Patterson AFB, OH.

For those who wish, memorials may be made in memory of John to White Springs Baptist Church, 1249 Grace Ave., Lancaster, SC 29720.