John Paul Willoughby

John was preceded in death by his father, Graham Paul Willoughby; his mother, Elizabeth McKinney Willoughby; his sister, Laurel Willoughby Wilson; his niece, Lisa Wilson Collins; and his nephew, Howard Wilson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Helen McPoland Willoughby; his children, John P. Willoughby III (Lauran), Erin Willoughby Jozik (Jose), and Katie Willoughby (Taylor Root); his grandchildren, Graham Willoughby, Sarah Frances Willoughby, Sam Willoughby, Laurel Jozik, Maggie Root, and Ginny Root; and his nieces, Gaye Wilson and Laurel Ann Wilson.

John grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Shades Valley High School. His family also lived in Westport, Connecticut for a number of years, where he began a lifelong love of boating. He attended the University of Alabama, where he met the love of his life, Helen, and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. While enrolled at Alabama, he joined the Alabama Air National Guard and later the Navy Reserves.

After graduating with a degree in Journalism, John wrote for The Birmingham News and the Pensacola News-Journal while stationed there with the Navy. Realizing the newspaper business couldn’t support his growing family, he earned his MBA from Samford University and transitioned into investment management—first as a stockbroker, then as a portfolio manager at Birmingham Trust National Bank.

As an avid outdoorsman, John always wanted to live near the water. Thus, when offered an executive position in the Trust Investment department at Exchange Bank in Tampa, Florida, he moved his family to the Sunshine State. In 1984, they moved to Jacksonville, where he was recruited to become the Head of Trust Investments at Florida National Bank and later served as President of its subsidiary, Florida Investment Management Company. Eventually, John branched out on his own, providing portfolio management for individual and institutional clients, many of whom remained clients for decades. He was most recently affiliated with Charles D. Hyman & Co., Investment Counsel before his retirement.

John was devoted to his family above all else. He and Helen raised their children with love, laughter and adventure - boating, fishing, camping, and countless beach vacations. After the children were grown, he continued to organize the family’s annual camping trip to Manatee Springs State Park, a cherished tradition that came to include his grandchildren, who adored their “PopPop” for his warmth, wit, and the joy he brought to every gathering. His wisdom, humor, and steadfast love made him a remarkable husband, father and grandfather.

John’s hobbies included restoring old boats, hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, and generally being handy around the house. A member of The Florida Yacht Club, he enjoyed many outings and trips with family and friends aboard his boat, the Jubilee. John was never without a dog, and especially loved his Labrador, Stella, who was his constant companion over the last 12 years.

Throughout his professional and personal life, John was deeply respected and liked by everyone who knew him.

As a longtime member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, John served as an usher and a pancake cook for many Shrove Tuesday church suppers. He found comfort and community within its congregation.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Ortega Gardens Memory Care Center and Community Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and professionalism.

A service to celebrate John’s life will be held Friday, November 21 at 1:00 pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue, Jacksonville FL 32210, with a reception to follow.

An additional graveside service will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.