Walter John Judd

World renowned professor emeritus of immunohematology W. John Judd dies; 

Walter John Judd, age 76, of Supply, NC passed away on Wednesday, the first of December 2021 at his home with family by his side. Born in Rettendon, Essex, England on the twenty third of July 1945, John was a son of the late Philip and Phyllis Richards Judd. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a son, James Judd; a sister, Caroline Ward and her husband, John Ward: a step-son Randall Wilson; and a step-grandchild, Shaunna Walley. John was a member of the Word of Christ Fellowship Church, Supply, NC

John Judd began his career as a medical laboratory technologist at the Regional Blood Centre in Brentwood, Essex, England. He obtained his specialist exam in hematology and blood group serology and, as a newly qualified Fellow of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences, moved to the University of Michigan in 1974, from England, where he was to remain for the rest of his professional life. Though stationary, his career was anything but static and he retired after 34 years as a highly regarded, world-renowned professor emeritus of Immunohematology.

John was instrumental in the development of new techniques and processes, and together with his colleagues at the University of Michigan, was the first to introduce the electronic crossmatch into the US. He was a prolific author, with over 100 scientific publications, book chapters and books. He published the first edition of his much loved Methods in Immunohematology in 1988, and passed away just as the fourth edition was going to press. John took a very active role in the profession both locally and nationally, and served on many AABB committees, as well as the Board of Directors for both the AABB and the Michigan Association of Blood Banks. His scientific merits and his outstanding service to the profession were recognized by the Ivor Dunsford and John Elliott awards respectively from the AABB.

While his academic merits are impressive, many of his colleagues will remember him most for his generosity, kindness and great sense of humour. He mentored numerous young colleagues, both medical technologists and pathology residents, and was well-liked by all. His unique sense of humor extended to unusual acronyms for serious matters, such as ICII (the Invitational Congress of Investigatove Immunohematologists), a highly specialised but welcoming conference in his field of Immunohematology that despite its name, attracted top scientists from around the world.

John Judd was truly one of a kind and his wisdom and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was most recently retired from the University of Michigan as an Immunology/Hematology professor and was also a consultant.

Surviving are his loving wife Barbara "Babs" Judd; a son, Oliver Judd and wife Katy; a beloved grandson, Edgar Judd; a sister, Jackie Jones and husband Tony; two step-daughters, Laurie Wilson and Vicki Wilson and partner, Mike; a step-son, Alan Wilson; brother in laws, Jeff and Robert Carll;  grandchildren, Samantha Garcia and Scott Walley, Sonya Wilson, Victoria Auger, Susie Auger, Alan Wilson, and Travis Wilson ; step great-grandchildren, Ellie, Josie, Samuel, Chrissy and Logan Garcia, Akashia King; Gloria Dawes, Shaunna a Wilson; Jacob Auger, Lexy, Bella and Ramone Wilson; Conner, Colby and Caylee Cope. UK; nephews Rob, Tim, Mark and Andrew. His niece Sarah and all their respective family members.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 PM, Wednesday, July 20, 2022 in the Word of Christ Fellowship Church, Stone Chimney Road, Supply with Pastor Gerald Kirby officiating.

The famiily requests with gratitude that donations in his name be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, APDA, PO Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306 or www.apdaparkinson.org. or to the Epilepsy Foundation, 3540 Crain Highway Ste 675, Bowie, MD 20716, www.epilepsy.com.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com

Michael J Fulwood Funeral Service Licensee, 910-471-5441

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter John Judd, please visit our floral store.