John William Bateman, 95, of Mathews, Va., passed away on April 24, 2015 at Heron Cove at Sanders in Gloucester, Va.

John was a native of Baltimore, Md., graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1941. He played centerfield for Hopkins and earned a letter each year in baseball and was selected two years in a row for All Maryland by sports editors and writers of the Baltimore Sun newspaper.

He also started his flying lessons and obtained both his private and commercial licenses during college. He joined the U.S. Navy and won his Wings of Gold in November 1942. He served in the Pacific theatre during World War II flying PBYs and met and married his wife of 70 years, Patricia Albers, in California. John continued his aviation career with Pan American Airways (PAA) from 1946 until his retirement, as a 747 Captain in 1979. His career was interrupted to return to active duty during the Korean War and also to fly the PAA Cinerama Charter for several months with Lowell Thomas to make the movie, “Seven Wonders of the World.” He also enjoyed his lifelong hobby of building, from his home in New York to furniture and musical instruments.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Maud (Callis) Bateman, and his brothers, Edward and Charles.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their children, James (wife Elizabeth), Douglas, and Diana (husband Tim), as well as five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, is in charge of the arrangements in conjunction with Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the memory of John W. Bateman to Hands Across Mathews, P.O. Box 1303, Mathews, Va. 23109.

He was a loving and modest man whose counsel was often sought and he will be dearly missed.