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DAUNT -- John Daunt, an artist,decorated war veteran and a former General Electric aerospace engineer with seven U.S. patents, died May 19, 2010 of complications from leukemia. He was 83. John worked for GE for 35 years, helping design jet and rocket engines. Much of his time at the company was at the Albuquerque facility, where he worked on the early designs of the massive engines now used on Boeing's 777 planes. He retired in 1980. John was born in Kentucky and served in the U.S. Army in Italy during World War II. During the Korean War, John served as a sergeant who helped integrate African-American soldiers into the infantry. He was gravely injured when a hand grenade launched by enemy troops exploded near him, killing several of his fellow troops. He was awarded a purple heart, among other commendations during the war. Upon returning home to Newport, Kentucky, John enrolled in the University of Cincinnati's engineering program, while also studying painting and sculpting. After graduation, he went to work in General Electric's aircraft division in Evendale, Ohio. When General Electric opened its plant in Albuquerque, John was among the company's first engineers there. He immediately fell in love with the Southwest. As his career flourished, with numerous inventions still in use on GE airplane engines, he spent his spare time painting the beautiful New Mexico vistas. He also became known for his bronze sculptures of Navajo Indians. Although he spent the last ten years in Pasadena, California, to be closer to his only granddaughter, Isabella Martin, he longed to return to Albuquerque - the place he considered home. He is survived by his three sisters, Georgia Pelle, Patricia McGarr and Susanne Vennefron, all of Kentucky; his wife of 57 years Teresa; his two sons, Michael Daunt and his wife Betty and Thomas Daunt; his daughter Tina and her husband Hugo Martin; and granddaughter Isabella. Funeral services are pending.
        Published on: Sun May 30, 2010