John Wayne Muster, 78, of Hazard, KY and formerly of Staunton, Virginia passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the Paul E. Patton Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard, Kentucky surrounded by his family. He was born in Courtland, New York on July 30, 1947. He was the son of the late John Henry Muster and Margaret Muster of Raleigh, North Carolina.

John was a veteran during the Vietnam War. After getting out of the military he worked at IBM in Research Triangle Park. During this time, he also volunteered as a firefighter/rescue with Durham Highway Volunteer Fire Department. Later he moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina and met his loving wife Sophia Lawson Muster. Then he moved to Stuart's Draft, Virginia and retired. After retirement he drove an eighteen-wheeler for JB Hunt for several years.

John cherished all of his children and grandchildren. He was a wonderful Papa and will be deeply missed. He was a loving person to everyone he met. No one was a stranger to John. He enjoyed helping others. John always told everyone he loved them. John had a lot of faith in the Lord and loved the gospel taught from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and wanted to share it with everyone. Two of his favorite pastimes were looking at antique vintage cars and going to Huddle House and eating breakfast. John loved his VA family at the facility and took pride in being a veteran.

John is preceded in Death by his parents John Henry Muster and Margaret Muster, his loving wife Sophia Lawson Muster, and his grandson Blake Hylton.

Left to cherish his memory are his five kids: Jennifer Kirkland (Robert), Jeff Muster (Jeana), Michelle Muster, Jonathan Muster (Jessica), and Matthew Muster all of North Carolina. Stepchildren: Patricia Hughes (Charlie) of Hazard, Kentucky and Barbra Greenlee (Ray) of Smith Mountain Lake, Virgina. Grandchildren: Trevor Kirkland, Tyler Kirkland, Kaitlyn Kirkland, Jacob Muster, Jada Muster, Emma Muster, Leah Muster, Ava Muster, Ivy Muster, Maddox Muster, Ronnie Noplis, Sophia Noplis, Brandi Noplis, Travis Hylton, Mark Hylton, Landon Hughes. Great Grandchildren: Adelline Flowers, Leonel Hylton, Noah Hughes, and Easton Blake Kunes. Siblings: Cathy Richardson (Steven) of Utah, Wanda Floyd-Callanan of Franklinton, North Carolina, Bill Muster (Linda) of Raleigh, North Carolina. John also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, special friends and neighbors.

Since John's life touched so many people, he will have two services in Kentucky and Virginia. The Celebration of Life Service in Hazard, Kentucky will be at the at the Perry County Senior Citizen Building at 354 Perry Park Road, Hazard, Kentucky on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 4:30 PM. The other memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints in Waynesboro, VA, 2825 Jefferson Lane Waynesboro, Virginia.

A private burial will follow at 3:30 PM at the Blue Ridge Memorial Garden in Roanoke, Virginia. John will be laid to rest with his loving wife Sophia.