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Retired Army Col. John Z. Lada, 87, of Annapolis and previously a longtime resident of Huntingtown in Calvert County, died of natural causes Jan. 22 at Somerford Assisted Living in Annapolis.

Born Nov. 8, 1917, in Augusta, Maine, Col. Lada was reared in New Britain, Conn., where he lived for 30 years. While in the Army he served in World War II and Korea as a medical corps officer. He was a medic on D-Day, evacuating the wounded on June 6, 1944, from the Normandy beaches. He worked in the Army's office of medical field service corporation for medical research before retiring in 1975. Among his awards were four Legions of Merit and the Order of the Arrow, an Army commendation medal.

He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland. He also worked at the Office of Aging in Calvert County for 10 years, and served on the Governor's Commission on Aging.

His interests included bowling, painting, latch hooking, arts and crafts. He also was known as an all around handyman, his family said.

The widower of Hedwig Lada, he is survived by two daughters, Joann Lada Lytton of Severn and Joyce Harrison of Annapolis; one sister, Jennie Dimauro of California; and five grandchildren.

Visitation is from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvert County Office on Aging, 450 W. Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com

As published in the Capital newspaper Annapolis Maryland on 1/24/2005