John Hubert “Jack” Womeldorf passed away in his home at Harbor’s Edge in Norfolk, VA on September 26, 2021. Jack was born in Richmond VA on July 1, 1939, to John A. and Margaret Glass Womeldorf. His father was a Presbyterian minister.
Jack attended public schools in Princeton, WVA and Waynesboro, VA. He graduated from Davidson College (NC) in 1961. In 1962, he was commissioned as a naval line officer and served on a destroyer and a nuclear-powered cruiser, on which he made his first of four trips around the world.
Upon leaving active duty, Jack spent a year traveling in Europe. On his return, he earned a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science at UNC Chapel Hill and there met his future wife, Ann. In 1968, Jack was selected as a Special Recruit at the Library of Congress, where he served for 27 years, retiring in 1995.
Jack and Ann married in 1969, put their careers on hold in 1970 and traveled around the world for twelve months on an extended honeymoon. They lived their professional lives on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, where they were active members of the community. Jack volunteered with the local public library and Capitol Hill Community Foundation. He was actively involved with the Church of the Pilgrims, beginning in 1968, serving on Session, in the choir and on many committees over the years. Jack and Ann travelled extensively. Jack counted over 150 countries visited, many more than once. They moved to Norfolk, VA in October 2019.
Jack is survived by Ann Clark Womeldorf, his wife of 52 years, and his sister, Sue W. Akin, of Richmond, VA. He was predeceased by his sister Peggy Gratz, of Fredericksburg, VA. The family would like to thank caregivers Carmen Wells and Wilma Williams-Jupiter for their dedication to Jack in his final months.
A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 17, 2021, at Cedar Grove Cemetery, off London Boulevard on Fort Lane in Portsmouth VA. The Reverend Julia Dorsey Loomis will preside. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Church of the Pilgrims in Washington, DC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Pilgrims, 2201 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037, or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.
Copyright: Copyright (c) 2021 The Virginian-Pilot