John M. Tragon, Jr., 92, passed away on December 22, 2015. A veteran of World War II. He was born in Altoona, PA and joined the U.S. Army on October 5, 1942. He fought the Germans in Egypt-Libya, Naples, Italy, Foggia, Italy, Anzio, Italy, Rome, Italy, Arno, Italy, Northern Apennines, Italy, PO Valley, Italy and the Japanese in the Philippine Liberation and was awarded with the Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal along with 4 Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1945. After bravely serving his country, John moved to Tampa, FL where he owned and operated a Philips 66 Truck Stop which was located at the corner of 13th Street and Kennedy Boulevard for 20 years. To many, he was known as "Big John". Not only was he a brave and loyal soldier he was also a patient and loving husband and father, he married Lucy Junco of Tampa, FL on March 20, 1968. Together they raised six children. In his later years he volunteered at Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc. a non-profit organization that connects adult volunteers with children to help them succeed in school. His second passion to his family was his enjoyment of fishing in the Tampa/St Petersburg waters with his wife and children. He is survived by his wife Lucy and their children John M. Tragon III, Ginger Rodriguez, Clayton James, Denise Jackson, Bill James and Gina Tragon, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral service with full military honors will take place 11 AM Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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MacDonald Funeral Home