John Davis Spalding 80John D Spalding, a two year resident of the Forge Hill Senior Living Center of Franklin, MA and formerly a 40 year resident of Needham, died on Feb. 16 at the St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton. Born in Pawtucket RI he was a member of the RI High School Honor Society and Received his Engineering Degree from Brown University 1943, M.S. in Engineering from Harvard, 1947 and later in his life his M.B.A. from Northeastern while working for Raytheon. After graduating Officer Training School, John served in the U.S. Army during WW11 as a second Lieutenant, with radar as his primary field in the signal corps. After additional training he became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. After the Liberation of France he returned to New York for a Ticker Tape Parade and was honorable discharged as a First Lieutenant.He retired from Raytheon shortly after finishing testing of the Patriot Missile Systems at white Sands New Mexico. He was proud to see missiles that he had worked on early in his career to the most recent display at White Sands.While living in Needham, Mr. Spalding was a very active member of community. A volunteer at the Needham Public Library, he organized a section of books on a weekly basis. He served for many years as a Deacon For the Needham Congregational Church and started the tradition of delivering Easter Lilies to the church members that were residing in Nursing Homes or unable to attend services. A lover of the outdoors he enjoyed hiking with his family, skiing, tennis and golf. John was also a member of the Needham Bird Club. A devoted husband of the late Dorothy (Paine) Spalding he is survived by his Son Douglas Spalding of Franklin and his daughter Sarah Drickey of Springfield, VA. Mr. Spalding is also survived by his Brother Donald Spalding of Homassa, FL, his grandchildren, Jeremy and Eric Walker, Sarah and Benjamin Spalding, Lena Capece and the late Shawn Walker. He is also survived by two step sisters, Dimity Raniello and Patricia Lemaire both of Sedona, AR. Memorial Services to celebrate Mr. Spalding’s life will be held on Sat. April 5th at 3:00 PM from the Needham Congregational Church 1154 Great Plain Ave. Needham, Ma 02492. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Missionary Fund of the Needham Congregational Church or to the Needham Y.M.C.A. 863 Great Plain Ave. Needham, MA 02492