John Nevin Knode, 77, a Vietnam Army veteran and a resident of Severna Park for 29 years, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2024, at the Hospice of the Chesapeake.

John was born on July 13, 1946, in Bedford, PA, to the late Lena (Mary) and John Nevin Knode Sr. John graduated from Thiel College in Greenville, PA in 1968. He took advanced business courses at Wharton Business school in Philadelphia. Drafted into the United States Army in 1968, he bravely served in Vietnam and Cambodia with the 9th Infantry Division, 3rd Platoon. The U.S. Army recognized John for his honorable service with a Purple Heart, three bronze stars, and many other medals for his combat military service.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, John started his career as a banking executive for Equitable Bank in Pittsburgh. He moved to Severna Park, Maryland in 1985 to continue his banking career with Equibank and finally retired from Riggs Bank.

He married his college sweetheart and best friend Sandra (Sandy) on April 17, 1971, in Wheeling, WV, and they were together for almost 53 years. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. "Family first" was his motto and he embraced every moment with them.  He instilled a strong work ethic and moral code of conduct to his three children. John will be remembered for his sharp wit and humility. He had fond memories of annual family vacations at the beaches in North Carolina and Lake Anna, as well as travels and adventures with his wife, Sandy.  He enjoyed birdwatching, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers (through the good and the bad), fishing, and had a love of history that he shared with his two grandsons, Jonas and Ian. John was an active member of Woods Presbyterian Church and served as a Representative Payee volunteer, as well as a member of the Advisory Board for the Anne Arundel County Representative Payee Program for many years.

John leaves behind three children, Kerry Lynn Gabler and her partner Brian Ciszczon, Kristin Michelle Toms and her husband Brad Toms, and a son Brian John Knode and his wife Yesenia. He cherished his four beloved grandchildren: Eva Gabler, Jonas Gabler, Ella Toms, and Ian Toms, and his chocolate lab dog, Sadie.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 1:00 P.M at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. Severna Park, MD 21146. Following the service, the family invites guests to the Severna Park Taphouse (58 W Earleigh Heights Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146) for a celebration of John Knode's life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Fisher House: ( https://fisherhouse.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/)

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church: https://onrealm.org/woodschurch/-/form/give/default

Hospice of the Chesapeake: ( https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/)

Notes of sympathy can be sent to the family at 498 Derby Ct. Severna Park, MD 21146