John S. Geddes Jr.

John S. Geddes, Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on September 3, 2024 at the age of 87 with his immediate family beside him. He was born on August 18, 1937 in Buffalo, NY and graduated from McKinley Vocational School in 1954 as a horticulture major. After graduating HS he owned a nursery and supplied mums and other flowers for the wholesale markets in Buffalo. He married Nancy Ann Phelps in 1960 and was drafted into the Army in 1961 serving in Korea on the Honest John missile system until he was discharged in 1963. John and Nancy welcomed John S. Geddes III in 1962 and Nadine Geddes Essary in 1965. John lived in Akron, NY until 1976, working as an owner operator of his own tractor trailer; additionally, he and Nancy owned several rental properties he updated and maintained himself. He moved the family to Umatilla, FL at the end of 1976. During the next 15 years, he owned and operated several local businesses including Whirlpool Coin Laundry, Country Corner Restaurant and Uncle Tom’s Bar and Package Store. After retiring, John became a master gardener and spent countless hours for decades devoting his time and knowledge to the Lake County Agricultural Extension Center. He enjoyed talking about plants and truly felt the earth was meant to grow the beauty of flowers, trees and food. John also enjoyed building things and working with his hands. He has made many items including furniture and a dollhouse with his final big project the home on the old Phelps homestead where he and Nancy have lived since 2005. Additionally, he and his wife traveled the country for several years with their motor home as well as taking cruises and bus tours. John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy Ann Phelps Geddes of Umatilla; son John S Geddes III (Renee Geddes) of Tavares; daughter Nadine Geddes Essary (Gavin Essary) of Parker, Texas; grandchildren Kara Natale Sparks (Michael Sparks) of Mt Dora, Jarod Natale (Erika Nichole) of Umatilla, Christine Halbert Arnold (Jason Arnold) of Canton, Texas, and Rachel Halbert Graf (David Graf) of Flower Mound, Texas; 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of life for John will be held on September 12, 2024, the viewing at 10:00am and the service at 11:00am at Beyers Funeral Home, 279 S. Central Ave, Umatilla, Florida. Interment to follow at 1:30pm at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association or Plant a Tree. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Umatilla, Florida.

John S. Geddes Jr.

August 18, 1937 - September 3, 2024