John A. Tutz - Obituary

ohn Anton Tutz, 86, of Edgewater, MD, passed away on May 30, 2022 after a hard-fought bout with lung cancer. John was born on October 7, 1935 to the late Joseph and Mary Tutz in Hillside, MD. After John graduated from Suitland High School in 1954, he began working as a “parts man” at various automotive parts suppliers before becoming an ASE Master Automotive Technician and worked at several local automotive garages and dealerships before joining Ford Motor Co as a District Service Engineer. At Ford, he solved tough service issues, mentored many automotive technicians, and earned numerous awards. He also served in the District of Columbia Air National Guard Reserve. John came from humble roots and led a modest, private life. He was a self-taught jack-of-all-trades – cars, construction, engineering, engines, boating, and gardening. He tackled his projects with optimism and grit. John’s passions were cars, classic cars, boating, NASCAR racing and family. He was devoted to his fiancé and children. He will be remembered for his genuine smile and infectious laugh. He once said he will never stop laughing and joking. He was a member of the Wheels of the Past and Asphalt Angels car clubs, and American Legion. John is predeceased by his siblings, Mary Massey and Joseph Tutz, Jr., and his grandson, Brian J. Stortzum, Sr. Left to cherish his memory are his fiancé Mary Derby, daughter Jean and her husband Bruce Wright and son Craig and his wife Kimberly Tutz, grandchildren Colleen Stortzum, and Sarah, Jarrett and Julia Tutz, and great-grandchildren Savannah Bowie and Brian Stortzum, Jr., and Mary’s family Brenda, Michelle, Kirk, and Jacob and faithful dog Angel. Family and friends are invited to John’s life celebration on Monday, June 6 from 9-11 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11, at Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland.