John Marvin Portlock, Sr

John Marvin Portlock, Sr., 86, of Newport News, Virginia, passed peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 19, 2025. He was the son of the late Cecil Earl Portlock Sr. and Myrtle Louise Portlock. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Cecil “Buddy” Earl Portlock Jr., Blanche Elizabeth Adkins, Richard “Rick” Thomas Portlock, and grandson Dustin Earl Tharpe. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice Catherine Stewart Portlock; brother Joseph Ray Portlock (Donna) of Jacksonville, Florida; children John Marvin Portlock Jr. (Nancy), Robert “Bob” Earl Portlock Sr. (Christa), Curtis Lee Portlock (Teresa) and Teresa “Terri” Portlock Tharpe (Jerry); grandchildren Derek Portlock (Anne), Kaitlyn Fuson (Jon), John Dalton Portlock (Brittany), Robert E. Portlock Jr. (Blaire), Jenny Nugent (Brendan), Kelly Felty (Tyler), Dana Trinidad (Joey), Lauren Whitlow (Cole), Christopher Portlock, Taylor Tharpe, and Hayley Tharpe; 20 great grandchildren and one on the way, as well as many other extended family members and friends.

John was born October 12, 1938, in Norfolk, Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and served proudly as an Air Traffic Controller. After 24 years of dedicated military service, he retired as a Master Sergeant. He married his wife of 66 years, Alice, in 1958, creating a legacy of love and family. Together, they embraced the adventure of a nomadic military lifestyle, raising their four children in Alabama, Nova Scotia, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Tampa, North Carolina, Panama City, and Okinawa. They ultimately returned home in 1974 to care for his ailing parents, where John continued to serve at Langley Air Force Base until his retirement in 1981. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he joined the Dominion Power team, serving as a security officer at Yorktown Power Station for 13 years until he retired for a second time in 1994. John, forever moving and busy, continued to work delivering auto parts until he decided to finally embrace retirement for the remaining years of his life.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Littles Funeral Home on June, 8, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends for visitation following the service. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to John’s long-time physician, Dr. Jesus Lizarzaburu, and Bristol Hospice for their compassionate care and support during John’s final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com