Obituary of John C Jernigan

Our father, John Clyde Jernigan of Pensacola, FL, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2019 in Agoura Hills, CA. We are forever grateful that Dad lived the last six months of his life in California, as this time together was a true gift.

Born in Detroit, MI on April 2, 1940 to Elbert Clyde and Amelia Jernigan, he moved with their family to Pensacola, FL in 1952. He was a Pensacola High School graduate, Class of 1958, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of West Florida in 1969. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to Vietnam from 1965-1967 where he served as Captain and helicopter pilot and was awarded the Purple Heart. 

Honorably discharged from the U.S.M.C. in 1967, he embarked on early careers as a math professor and as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith. It wasn’t long, however, before he returned to his passion for flying and became a flight simulator instructor, training pilots for the U.S Navy. He retired after a 40 year long career doing what he loved - sharing knowledge and the excitement of aviation. 

Over the years, Dad had many passions. Lapidary and wood working, ballroom dancing, genealogy and history research were all integral parts of his life, and he excelled in all of these areas and more. He was a member of The Artistic Woodturners of Northwest Florida, The Florida Panhandle Gem & Mineral Society, Polish Society and was head of the Jernigan Genealogy Project.

John is survived by his two daughters, Julie Anne Jernigan and Laura Marie Jernigan; six grandchildren, Christina Marie Dixon, Lauren Nicole (Nic) Dixon, John Liam Fishman, Gerald Matthew (Matt) Dixon, Steven Blake Fishman, Emma Laura Fishman; two great grandchildren, Cleo Nicole Nogaki and Summer Marie Nemethy; two sisters, Jean Boyd and Susan McCullough. 

Our father was a searcher of knowledge, a man of integrity and honor, and above all, he was a lover of life, family and friends. Thank you for loving us so well, Dad, and for sticking it out this last year to give us all a little more time. You have left us with wonderful memories full of laughter and love, and you will forever be missed. 

We are grateful to know that you're getting the answers now to all the questions your intelligent mind asked, that you are at peace, and that you're watching over all of us until we are together again.

A committal service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, on March 11, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.