Deacon John Lewis Edmonds was born to the late Benjamin and Lucretia Edmonds on July 23, 1943, in Littleton, North Carolina, and was the youngest of five children. He was educated in Halifax County Public Schools and graduated from McIver High School in 1962. During his childhood, he was an active member of Carter’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
John attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, majoring in mechanical engineering and air conditioning and refrigeration until 1965. He then was employed at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill until early 1966. John married the former Clara Powell, joined the United States Air Force, and was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, in November 1966. After four years, he was honorably discharged, and John and Clara decided to make Panama City their home.
His professional career included a variety of business endeavors. He was a Metropolitan Life insurance representative for five years, a franchise owner of Tempaco, Inc. (air conditioning, refrigeration, industrial controls, etc.) for 21 years, and an employee for Stromquist & Co. until retirement. Following retirement, he enjoyed his favorite hobbies of woodworking, boiling peanuts, growing vegetables, and spending time with his family.
He was a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon in the late 1970s. He served God, his church, and his community in many ways - chairman of the deacon board, board member for the Macedonia Panama Gardens Apartments, choir organist, handyman, and anywhere necessary. John was a spiritual stalwart and lived his Christian beliefs. He worked extremely hard and lovingly guided, supported, and provided for his family.
He transitioned peacefully on November 17, 2022. He leaves to share his memory, Clara, his wife of 56 years, his daughter Kim (LaRhann), two grandchildren, Laurel and Logan, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church located on Cove Boulevard in Panama City, FL. Interment will follow in the Kent Forest Lawn Cemetery on Harrison Avenue with the caring staff of Battle Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
