John Edward Breyer
December 23, 1934 - October 6, 2024

On October 6, 2024, John Edward Breyer, 89, returned to his Heavenly Father following a sudden illness. He was surrounded by his family as he passed away peacefully at Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming, Georgia.

John was born on December 23, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri to John and Margaret Muick Breyer. The eldest of five, he spent most of his childhood and adolescence in Granite City, Illinois where he learned the value of hard work and dedication to family. John served his beloved country in the United States Navy as an enlisted sailor and as a member of the Navy Reserve. A lifelong learner, John had a thirst for knowledge and ardently pursued and supported education. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during which time John met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Beabout. They were united in holy matrimony on June 11, 1960, in Champaign, Illinois, his greatest choice by far. John and Pat lived in Illinois, New York and Florida before making their home in Alpharetta, Georgia where they have resided for the past 35 years.

John enjoyed a 29 year career at the General Electric Company where he held a variety of technical and managerial positions. During this time, he also pursued graduate level courses at Cornell University and Syracuse University, and he graduated from GE's rigorous Advanced Engineering and General Management Programs. An innovator and leader in multiple fields related to communication, signal intelligence, and antenna measurement, John joined Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. as the company Senior Vice President and President of two divisions before ascending to become President and Chief Executive Officer of MI Technologies, a company he founded along with other investors. He continued to lead in these roles as the company expanded and merged to become NSI-MI Technologies. John's belief in the power of education to better one's life was lived out through more than two decades of service to Syracuse University as a member of the College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean's Leadership Council, the Atlanta Regional Council, and as a university Life Trustee. In April 2021, at the age of 86, John retired after a satisfying career of technological evolution and invention.

Characterized by a fervent love of life and a spirit of adventure, John enjoyed extensive travel with his family - especially Pat, his favorite explorer companion. He visited 49 out of the 50 states and numerous countries around the world. Woodworking, and a love for art and music, reflected his genuine appreciation of beauty and the natural world. John definitely loved having a good time. He relished celebrating life with his family and friends. As a man of faith, John believed that his choices should honor God and that faith is best expressed by how one lives life and treats others, especially members of one's family. He exemplified this value with excellence.

Cherished and deeply loved by his family, John was a pillar of strength, wisdom, kindness, and generosity. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 64 years, Patricia Beabout Breyer. Their family includes two daughters, Deborah Knoblock (Stephen) and Tamara Breyer. John was a doting grandfather to Chloe Knoblock Espinoza (Melvin), Olivia Ellis, and Abigail Ellis. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Evelyn (James) Breyer and his siblings, Michael Breyer (Sharen), and Mary Ellen Dercks (Jerry), who will hold his memory dear. Preceding John in death were his parents and his brothers, James and Dennis Breyer, as well as Dennis Breyer's wife, Linda.
John's life will be celebrated on Sunday, October 20 at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm with a memorial service to follow at 2:00pm. The Rev. Casey Sanders will officiate. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed via https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcyOTM1OTUxNjMzMzI0MSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== .
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to John's memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Syracuse University to benefit the College of Engineering and Computer Science or the School of Education.