Mr. John Stephen Litaker, 76, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, at William G. "Bill" Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, surrounded by his loving family with his wife Kay, holding his hand.

A funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 pm Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Billy Beaver will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:45 pm Wednesday at Lady's Funeral Home.

John was born May 16, 1949 in Mooresville. He was a son of the late Lex James Litaker and Ruby Gertrude Bostian Litaker. He as a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He retired from Duke Energy where he worked as a pipe fitter at Maguire Nuclear Station. John loved woodworking, camping, family honey-do lists, the beach and people watching.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, April Denise Litaker Phillips; and his brother, Michael Wayne Litaker.

John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kay Millis Litaker; son, Chris Litaker of Kannapolis; son-in-law, Darrell Phillips of Davidson; sister, Janet Litaker Chance of Kannapolis; and two grandson, Xander Hatfield and Bexley Litaker.