John Weldon “Jack” Tibbetts, of Allentown, died May 29, 2026. Born on Sept. 10, 1937 in a Naval Hospital in San Diego, Calif., he was the son of the late John W. and Lyndle (Shields).

Growing up the son of a career naval officer, he and the family moved about the country many times.

He graduated from Hingham High School in Hingham, Mass., and enrolled at Duke University where he earned a degree in business.

While at Duke, he joined the Naval ROTC program and played on the Blue Devils Freshman basketball team.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a naval officer and enrolled in naval flight school.

After completing training, he was deployed as a carrier pilot flying Grumman S2F Trackers, embarking on multiple cruises in the Far East.

He married Carol R. Stokes in 1963 and began raising a family in Corpus Christi, Texas. Leaving the Navy in 1966 he joined Eastern Airlines, piloting domestic routes in the DC-9, B727, A-300 and L-1011, attaining the rank of captain.

After Eastern, he flew for Atlas Air Cargo, also attaining the rank of captain on the B747 in 1997.

While with Atlas, he flew extensive international routes around the world.

He remarried in 1985 to Nancy Wolff Weikert and lived in Allentown until his passing.

Upon his retirement from Atlas he became an avid supporter of local aviation, faithfully joining friends six days a week at the Queen City Airport.

He was a proud member of the Quiet Birdmen, and to his fraternal brothers we say with great sorrow that he has “flown West.”

He was known for random acts of kindness and caring for others.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Weikert, son Drew and his wife Susan, his daughter Margaret and her husband Rich Thompson, sister-in-law Mary Bruce Buchanan, grandchildren Delaney Morris, Jasper Morris.

His celebration of life will be private at the convenience of the family.

For those who wish to honor him with a memorial contribution, his family suggests a donation to CONCERN Professional Services for Children, Youth and Families, 1 West Main St., Fleetwood, PA 19522.

The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall is honored to handle his arrangements.