John McLymont

Smithville, Clarendon, Jamaica W.I. His parents were the late Basil and Jamima (Henry) McLymont, of which he was the second child of five.

Given his humble beginnings, he did not acquire a formal post-secondary education; he attended the Smithville All Age Primary School where he grew up and eagerly grasped the concepts taught in the academics, especially math.

John grew up with former Thelma Lee Gayle in Smithville and was smitten by her. This attraction sustained them into marriage and through the birth of five children: Fitz, Avis, Louisa, John Clive and Howard, on to the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in November 2005.

The early part of these years saw John as a well-liked, conscientious, hardworking fireman with the Jamaica Fire Brigade for 14 years, after which he resigned in order to bring his family to the United States. He first came over after being given the opportunity by his uncle, Leonard McClymont, he then later immigrated to the United States in 1970 with Thelma and the first four children and landed in New York. He then relocated to LaBelle in 1975 with Thelma and his youngest child, Howard, enjoying the warmer weather and the more relaxed pace.

Here in LaBelle, he established himself as a business owner with the restaurant Shady Oaks on Highway 80; he was a pioneer in his own right as being the first Jamaican to have a business in LaBelle. He did not stop there, he then continued by building and operating McLymont's Fina Station simultaneously right next to it. He also owned a multi-business center on Hwy 29, bought and sold numerous acres of property with the previous Port LaBelle land development corporation, General Development along with privately buying and selling parcels of land.

He is survived by his loving wife Thelma, his five children-Fitz, Avis, Louisa, Clive and Howard, 15 grandchildren, 5 great- grandchildren, brothers; Leonard and Fred and sisters; Inez and Evelyn, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many, many friends.

The viewing was held at the LaBelle First Church of God, Hwy 80 and Florida Street on Sunday, February 18, 2007 the funeral services were held February 19, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Lehigh's Lee Memorial Park in the chapel with the interment at the on-grounds cemetery; it was officiated by Minister Chanta McLymont and the eulogy was given by Pastor Steve Gornoski of the LaBelle First Church of God.