Lt. Col. John Van Nortwick III, a retired Marine Corps officer and decorated helicopter pilot with two Purple Hearts, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

A beloved father, grandfather, uncle, husband, and friend, he left behind the love of his life of 65 years, Sonja Van Nortwick. He is survived by his brother Tom and his wife Mary, and is honored and loved by his sons John and Douglas, their wives Jill and Diana Maria, and will be so missed by his grandchildren Sydney, Ana Victoria, Ana Karina, Ana Paulina, and Ze.

John was preceded in death by his father, John II, his mother, Sue Beckwith, and his brother, Bill Van Nortwick.

John told many stories about his childhood, but none compare to those from his time in the Marine Corps. It was there that John III found his true calling with the unwavering support of his wife Sonja. As a proud patriot and as an honorable, compassionate, and determined leader, he served his country in many ways. While stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico, he served President John F Kennedy as a helicopter pilot for Marine One. In 1963, his commitment to this duty was honored when Jacqueline Kennedy personally thanked him in a letter for all he had done.

From 1965 to 1973, John earned two Purple Hearts from two of his three tours as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. During his final tour, he was the Commanding Officer of HMH463 helicopter squadron in Kāneʻohe, Hawaii, that swept mines in Haiphong Harbor as part of Operation End Sweep under the Paris Peace Accords.

His patriotism didn't end there; in 1973, John Ill's next tour of duty brought him and Sonja back to Quantico. Then in 1975, he played an instrumental role in petitioning Congress to ensure the presidential helicopter program remained with the Marine Corps. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1976 as a decorated war veteran.

Following his retirement, he moved his family to El Paso, Texas, with the full support of his wife and children in 1978. He then embarked on his second career as a technology manager for SAIC, working on defense projects and ultimately building the Chicago NBC affiliate newsroom and studios.

In 1991, he took a year’s leave of absence to work with Sonja in her new real estate business as the financial manager and never went back. He was a familiar face at ERA Sellers and Buyers Real Estate for 35 years, going to the office every day up until a few weeks before he passed. While living in El Paso, he also enjoyed golfing with Sonja and his friends at El Paso Country Club, which was a big part of his life.

In 2022, he worked closely with his dear friend Mike McNamee in a consulting role to help ensure the accuracy of the H34 helicopter display at Veterans Memorial Park in Santa Theresa, NM, next to the War Eagles Museum. He was also honored in 2023 by Purple Heart Elementary School, where his photo hangs among those of other brave veterans.

His list of accomplishments was extensive, and his stories could take up pages. There are so many words to describe him, but we all know him as a loyal, compassionate, patriotic, and loving man. It is not hard to believe that he loved his family even more than he loved watching and attending car races, a favorite pastime he shared with his family. His life was full and filled with love. He will be dearly missed.

Services are entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler. Dr.

If anyone would like to honor John Van Nortwick, Sonja asks that condolences be sent to honor our Marines in the following ways:

Honor Marine Heritage:  https://tinyurl.com/Honor-Marine-Heritage

Santa Teresa Charitable Foundation

1300 Country Club

Ste A

Santa Teresa, NM 880