John 'Jack' H. Killion

John ‘Jack’ Hall Killion, age 84, of Long Valley, NJ, passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021 at his home, Walnut Farm. 

The son of the late Fred and Annie Laurie Hall Killion, he was born on May 1, 1937 in Newark, NJ and grew up in Essex Fells, NJ.  

He was the husband of Judith Chapman Killion, whom he met in high school. They celebrated 60 years of marriage this year.

Jack was passionate about family, work, learning and teaching. The first in his family to attend college, he received a Bachelor of Engineering from Yale University (’59) and a Master of Business Administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (’61).

Following his academic studies, he embarked on a professional career spanning 60+ years that started at Elliott Automation in the United Kingdom and after two years in the Army, his career took him to McKinsey & Company. Eventually the entrepreneur calling was too strong and he left McKinsey to embark on a 50+ year entrepreneurial journey that saw him raise the initial capital for Rolling Stone magazine, found and publish Country Music magazine, be President Jimmy Carter’s guest at the White House, turnaround his father’s plastics extruding company after his sudden passing, start a hedge fund then a fund-of-funds, co-found Garden State Woman and the Garden State Woman Education Foundation and author his own book, Network: All The Time, Everywhere with Everybody. He most recently created Street-Smart Entrepreneurs, a platform for him to pass on his life lessons to others.

Jack pursued his passion for teaching over the years with adjunct teaching positions at Rutgers University, Montclair State University and Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). He was the first Entrepreneur in Residence at FDU. He was also active with MIT, interviewing prospective students and active in New Jersey and New York Alumni Associations. He cherished mentoring and recently enjoyed coaching entrepreneurs he networked with as part of the Venture Mentoring Team.

Jack blended his personal and professional passions. A true love was thoroughbred horse racing. As a farm owner, he trained, bred, and raced thoroughbreds. Even after concluding racing his own horses, Jack would often spend hours watching simulcasts from across the country.

He enjoyed attending Southridge Community Church and spiritual discussions with members of CRU.

He passed his passion of golf on to his son and many of their greatest memories were shared on the golf course. 

However, his greatest role was his most recent as a grandfather to Avery. They shared a love of books, horses and teasing one another.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife, include his son Jonathan Phillips Killion, daughter-in-law Emily Killion and granddaughter. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Kloepper, brother-in-law Robert Kloepper, cousin John Hall and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by one half-brother Fred Vincent Cole.

All services will be private.

Arrangements are under the direction of Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home in Lebanon, NJ.

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