John Gordon Walborn

John Gordon Walborn, 97 years of age, died January 3, 2014, surrounded by his family at the Highlands.

John was born in Camden, NJ on March 3, 1916, the only child of John

Henry Walborn and Anna Kressel Walborn. He graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg and went on to receive his BA

degree in Business Administration from Gettysburg

College in 1937.

He joined his father in the pretzel manufacturing business in Harrisburg and in 1942 became president of Purity Pretzels.

In 1952, John moved to Reading when his company merged with Bachman Bakery, eventually becoming president of Bachman, which by then was the largest manufacturer of pretzels in the world, operating five plants in four states with distribution covering the United States. In 1969 he left to establish his own business with his son, John B. Walborn, building and operating a chain of seven Arby's Fast Food Restaurants in central Pennsylvania.

John was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa while at Gettysburg College. He was alumni class president, endowed a scholarship fund for business students and later received the Distinguished Alumni Award.

He was a member of the board of the Salvation Army for 14 years; on the board of the American Heart Association and the YMCA; a member of the Kiwanis Club; Foremans Club; the Robert Burns Lodge; the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and the Shriners Zembo Temple. He was president of the National Pretzel Bakers Association, member of the Berks Republican Finance Committee and served on the United Way.

John was introduced to his future wife, Betty Burns, in 1939 by his parents. Every Sunday they had watched her singing in the church choir and thought she would be his perfect match. They were right. John and Betty were happily married for 73 years.

They were both accomplished photographers and traveled throughout the United States and 42 countries, creating national award winning travelogues that they were invited to show in photographic organizations across the country, including the International Convention of the Photographic Society of America. Their programs were emblematic of their lifelong collaboration of love, humor, and beauty.

John was predeceased by his wife Betty in March 2013. He is survived by two children: his son, John B. Walborn, and daughter, Marshia Carlino, wife of Peter Carlino; four grandchildren: Kelly Masano, wife of John Masano; Kathleen Schippers, wife of Eric Schippers; Peter W. Carlino, husband of Alissa (Nickey); and Christopher Carlino.

In addition, there are nine great-grandchildren: John, Megan and Kathryn Masano; Noah, Aiden and Kalia Schippers; Gianna, Siena and Lucia Carlino.

Memorial contributions may be sent to The John G. Walborn 1937 Scholarship Fund, Alumni Department, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325; The Highlands Foundation, 2000 Cambridge Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610; or the Opportunity House, 430 N. 2nd St., Reading, PA 19601.

A private service will be held for the family. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements.

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