John W. Drayton ’43

We lost John to Parkinson's disease Sept. 24, 2005. He was 85.

He grew up in Chestnut Hill, Pa., prepping for Princeton at St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. A member of Colonial Club at Princeton, John earned a bachelor's degree in engineering in 1943. He went to work for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., developing forms of synthetic rubber for the World War II effort. He later earned a master's in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, the former Cynthia Whitney, John is survived by his sons John Jr. and Whitney, a sister, and five grandchildren. His brother, Richard, died Oct. 4, 2005. To all the survivors, we extend our most sincere condolences.

The Class of 1943