John David Todd

John David Todd, age 97, of Newark, DE, husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, died at Millcroft Senior Living Community on Sunday, January 3, 2021. He was the youngest of three half-brothers, having been pre-deceased by George Kinkade and Lester Todd. John was also pre-deceased by his wife, Bette Allison Todd, in 2015.

A native of Elk Mills, MD, John was born prematurely in 1923, the son of Jonathan Todd and Marie Kinkade. On the day he was born, the doctor pronounced that he had only a few days to live; however, John ignored the doctor’s orders and continued to live a full and happy life, passing six weeks before his 98th birthday. Growing up, he enjoyed spending time with his father on the Chesapeake Bay, in particular, they enjoyed crab and seafood cookouts on the beach after a long day on the water.

John attended the “old” Elkton High School, graduating in 1941. At the onset of World War II, he worked for the Department of the Navy at Triumph Explosives, Inc., performing administrative and logistics duties. At the conclusion of WWII, he went to work for Delaware Motor Sales in Wilmington where he remained until his retirement in 1985. A 20-year member of the Cadillac Crest Club, John sold over 1,000 cars during his career, receiving both regional and national recognition for his achievement.

In retirement, he continued his service at the Newark United Methodist Church and the Silverbrook Homeowner’s Association, and later for the Southridge Homeowner’s Association. John was an avid gardener, planting his “victory garden” each year in Silverbrook prior to moving to Southridge in 1997. A devoted fan of the University of Delaware football team, he and his wife, Bette, attended games for over 25 years and continued to follow the team thereafter.

John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Kathy Todd, of Falls Church, VA; grandchildren, Elizabeth and John; nieces, Jeri Mahan of Berkeley Springs, WV, and Connie Beveridge of Aiken, SC; and nephew, Roger Corbin of New Braunfels, TX.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Cherry Hill Cemetery, Elkton, MD, followed by interment. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s memory may be sent to the Newark United Methodist Church at 69 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.