John J. Louis Jr.

John Jeffry Louis Jr. (June 10, 1925 – February 15, 1995) was an American businessman and diplomat. He served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Early life John J. Louis Jr., was born in Evanston, Illinois, to Chicago advertiser John Jeffry Louis and Johnson Wax heiress Henrietta Johnson Louis. He grew up in the Chicago area.

During the Second World War, he served in the United States Army Air Forces (1943–1945), where he was a second lieutenant and pilot. He served in that post until his resignation on September 19, 1983. In his resignation, Louis expressed optimism about the quality of relations with the United Kingdom and the government of Margaret Thatcher, yet stated his desire to return to corporate and philanthropic pursuits.

Philanthropy Louis served as a trustee of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he had a building, John J. Louis Hall named for his father, John J. Louis, who had also been a trustee of the university. The building, which houses Northwestern's professional production and post-production facilities for the Department of Radio/Television/Film as well as public radio WNUR 89.3 FM and a classroom/lab for the Medill School of Journalism still exists on Northwestern's South end of campus today near Norris University Center.

Death and legacy On February 15, 1995, Louis died in his home in Winnetka, Illinois, at age 69. His son John Jeffry Louis III has continued the family tradition, serving on the boards of directors of S.C. Johnson and Gannett, as well as the Northwestern University board of trustees.