Louis LaVern Junod

March 27, 1923 - May 24, 2014
Louis LaVern Junod

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Commander Louis LaVern Junod, USN (Ret.), of Williamsburg, VA, age 91, died on May 24, 2014 at Woodhaven Hall surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on March 27, 1923 (Topeka, KS) to Louis John Junod and Mary Frances Downs Junod. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD (Class of 1946) with a Bachelor of Science and also earned a Master of Science (Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1953) and a Master of Arts Degree in Education (College of William and Mary 1985).

In the course of his United States Navy career, he served on the USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-41), USS AMMEN (DD-527), USS VESOLE (DDR-878), USS DES MOINES (CA-134), was Commanding Officer of the USS GYATT (DD-712) and US Naval Liaison Officer to MIT Instrumentation Laboratory where the A-3 Polaris Missile guidance system was developed.

Following retirement from the Navy in 1967, he worked at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. (CSDL) in Cambridge, MA. Activity at the Lab included projects in missile guidance and deep submergence instrumentation and simulation.

Louis and his wife Bernice retired to Williamsburg, VA in 1981 and subsequently moved to the Williamsburg Landing, a continuing care retirement community, in 2004. Spending his youth in Chanute, KS, he became an Eagle Scout, began a life-long enjoyment of music and played coronet. He was an active community volunteer, member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, Williamsburg Chapter of SCORE, Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg, and Past Master of the Richard C. Maclaurin Masonic Lodge, AF & AM in Cambridge, MA.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bernice (Mann) Junod; daughter, Frances Junod Kunz (R. Ronald) of Leesburg VA; son Louis John Junod, II (Suzanne) of Rockville, MD; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother Dr. Forrest L. Junod (Pat) of Sacramento, CA; brother-in-law Cecil C. Mann (Charlotte); as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A visitation will be held at Bucktrout Funeral Home on Friday, May 30, 2014 from 6:00 p. m. to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Louisís life will be held at Williamsburg United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with internment at 2:00 p.m. at the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, Williamsburg United Methodist Church or other charity of choice.


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  • May 28, 2014
    Dale and Louis Miller says:
    We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  • June 07, 2022
    The Staff of Bucktrout Funeral Home posted an image:
    Louis LaVern Junod
    Louis LaVern Junod