John Baptiste Andriulli, age 89, of Kingston, Tennessee, passed away unexpectedly on May 10, 2026, in a single-vehicle automobile accident in Harriman. Born on January 24, 1937, in Paterson, New Jersey, John lived a life defined by curiosity, quiet brilliance, faith, devotion to family, and an unwavering passion for engineering and adventure.
John was the son of Patrina “Virginia” Caramanna Andriulli and Louis Victor Andriulli. He was preceded in death by his wife, Minna B. Andriulli; his sister, Antoinette “Toni” Walley; and his stepson, Sean King.
He is survived by his loving children: Louis Andriulli (Debra), Morgan Andriulli (Jamie Miernik), Jessica Keith (Brian), and Ida Von Spakovsky (Alex); and by his stepchildren: Joe King (Mary), Sharon Mikanowicz (Todd), and Bill King (Penny). John was a proud grandfather to 20 grandchildren and 34 (and counting) great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense joy and pride.
John attended East Side High School in Paterson before earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1958. His extraordinary engineering career began at Boeing in Seattle, Washington, in 1960, where he worked on the ambitious Dyna-Soar program. When the project was canceled, John accepted a position on the newly awarded Saturn V booster program, a decision that would place him at the forefront of America’s space exploration efforts.
In 1962, John arrived in Huntsville, Alabama, where he began work in the Huntsville Industrial Complex (aka, HIC Building) on the Saturn V second stage dynamic test article. It is fitting that a test run in the famous giant anechoic chamber at Wyle Labs, the loudest instrument ever created (168 dB), was guided by a quiet, unassuming engineer who had suffered partial hearing loss from a young age.
John’s expanding expertise in dynamic testing and analysis led to his work on one of NASA’s most iconic achievements: the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Combining his interests in motorsports, mathematics, and engineering, John utilized equations he had first developed as a teenager to simulate race car suspension systems. Along with the computer code he created for the LRV Dynamic Analysis Team, John enabled the virtual simulation of the entire rover’s structure as it moved over the lunar surface. Family and colleagues alike believe this pioneering work may represent one of the earliest examples of computer driving simulation technology.
Following the Apollo era, John continued his distinguished career at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he devoted decades to nuclear fuel enrichment research. His expertise in high-speed centrifuge dynamics and the resulting ‘spin-off’ technology transfer made him an invaluable resource and mentor. Even after his official ‘retirement’ from Lockheed Martin, John continued serving as a contractor and subject matter expert until August 2024, concluding a remarkable career spanning more than sixty years. He often said, “If you find something you love, you never work a day in your life,” and that he did.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, John was deeply devoted to his faith community at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Harriman, Tennessee. He also treasured his friendships within the Knoxville and East Tennessee paddling communities, where he was widely known as “Oldest Man on the River.” Whether paddling a quiet stretch of water, mentoring younger engineers (up to age 60+), or sharing stories with friends and family, John brought humor, wisdom, and enthusiasm to every moment.
In retirement, John devoted special attention to his beloved 1962 Chevy C10 pickup truck, which he had purchased new to move from Seattle decades earlier. Above all, John cherished time with his ever-growing family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose lives were enriched by his love, intellect, and playful spirit.
John Baptiste Andriulli leaves behind a legacy of innovation, kindness, mentorship, faith, and family devotion. His life touched countless people across generations, from the engineers he inspired to the family members and friends who loved him dearly. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston with a Prayer Service concluding the receiving of friends. Requiem Mass 12:00 PM Noon, Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 535 Margrave Drive Harriman, TN 37748 with Father Michael Sweeney officiating. Entombment will follow in Roane Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Blessed Sacrament Church Building Fund. Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston is serving the Andriulli Family.