John Morgan Llewellyn

He always said he wanted his headline to be, "He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family", and that is exactly how it happened.

John M. Llewellyn was born in Mt. Clemens, MI on July 7, 1942, to parents John Irwin Llewellyn and Phyllis Marie (Kukielka) Llewellyn.  John was raised in Grosse Pointe Farms Michigan and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1960.

Shortly after graduation, he began a long and successful career in advertising and television, beginning at a local newspaper where he performed many tasks from janitorial duties to selling and creating ad space.  He then went to work for Campbell-Ewald as a messenger at the princely sum of $250 a month.  John then joined the Michigan National Guard serving during the Detroit Riots.  Following this position, he was promoted and worked different jobs until he was recruited by NBC to be a broadcast account executive in their Detroit office representing NBC's owned and operated stations.  He was then promoted to a similar position at NBC's New York sales office, eventually becoming the Eastern Sales Manager.  Next stop was the Chicago NBC station where he served as National Sales Manager for almost 3 years and from there the family moved to Chagrin Falls, OH where he raised his daughters.  He started as the Director of Sales for WKYC-TV Cleveland, and eventually became the station's Vice President and General Manager.  NBC sold the Cleveland station which prompted a move to Charlotte, NC where he served as President and General Manager of NBC affiliate station, WCNC-TV.  Five years later, in Montgomery AL, he joined Raycom Media Group as Group Vice President, and in that capacity had the responsibility of overseeing more than 30 affiliate TV stations.  Raycom then purchased its largest station, WOIO/WUAB in Cleveland, Ohio.  Because of his experience in the Cleveland market John and Kathie moved back to Chagrin Falls where he served as President and General Manager, while also overseeing a few of his old stations as Group Vice President one of which was in Traverse City, MI.  When the then General Manager of the Traverse City station announced his retirement, John and Kathie decided to slow down and settle in Traverse City.  He threw his corporate hat back in the ring and went back to something he loved, running a small station with the ability to mentor young professionals, many just starting in the television industry.  After 5 years in Traverse City, they decided to move to Caledonia, MI then to Hastings, MI to be closer to their daughters, son-in-law, and grandkids.

John loved and fiercely protected "his girls" and would do anything to make them happy.  He worked extremely hard to build a beautiful life for them, as well as his new best friend and son-in-law Jamie and grandkids.  Their lives were extremely blessed because of the foundation John worked for from the age of twelve.  John loved to tell stories and jokes, fishing, gardening, playing cards, and watching his grandkids grow into young adults.  He will be tremendously missed by loved ones and friends all over the country.  He was a force of nature and naturally commanded a room, but deep down he was an extremely softhearted man who loved his family with everything he had.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, John Irwin Llewellyn and Phyllis Marie (Kukielka) Llewellyn as well as his older sister Marianne (Llewellyn) Lipski.

He is survived by his wife of 57.5 years, Kathleen (Stanley) Llewellyn, his daughters Marianne Llewellyn and Amy (Llewellyn) Murphy, his son-in-law James Murphy, his granddaughter Brenagan Murphy, his grandson Evan Murphy, as well as our Abel and Victor Ramirez.  He is also survived by his brother, Andrew Llewellyn of Grosse Pointe Farms MI, his sister Jacqueline (Frank) Fortier of Williamson, MI as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hastings High School Athletic Boosters, PO Box 344, Hastings, MI 49058.

Visitation Monday, April 15, 2024, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI 49058. Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 805 S Jefferson St, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .