John Martin Gainer, Jr., 91 of Tallahassee, passed away peacefully at home on November 11, 2019. He was born in Florala, AL., on September 7, 1928 to John Martin Gainer, Sr., and Verna Pearl Gainer. Though he was born in Alabama, he spent most of his life in Florida, and was a proud student of Florida history. His family were some of the earliest settlers in Bay and Washington Counties, and he spent his childhood living in Chipley and the woods of Econfina. He graduated from Bay High in Panama City, then taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in Greenhead, Fl., before being tapped by Congressman Bob Sikes to work in his Washington office. He also served as official Door-Keeper of the House of Representatives, a job which he enjoyed immensely because he met so many interesting people. He was then drafted into the Army and was trained to go to Korea, but instead was sent to Germany where felt fortunate to serve as the Unit Administrator because he was the only soldier in the unit who knew how to type. After returning home, he attended Florida State University where he majored in public administration. While he was working as State Planning Director for the State of Florida, he met his future wife, Jean Evans, of Panama City, whom he would spend the next 64 years adoring and doting on. He served as Urban Renewal Director in Daytona Beach and then Assistant Manager, before being hired as the City Manager of Coral Gables, Fl. After 12 years there, he accepted the job of Town Manager for Hilton Head Island, S.C. After 10 years there, he retired to his beloved Tallahassee. Martin is survived by his wife, Jean, daughter Allison and her husband Rob, of Atlanta, daughter Tracy and her husband, Steve, of Sanibel Island, Fl., son Scott and his wife Maria, of Stuart, Fl., grandchildren Tyler, Zach, and Grace Nelson, Ashley and Maddie Graf, Austin and Gainer, great granddaughter Porter Nelson, beloved sister-in-laws Verna Howard and Doris Adams of Panama City, brother-in-law Don Evans of Homestead, and many nieces and nephews. He was extremely happy to have spent his retirement years surrounded by wonderful friends and neighbors.
A memorial service will be held on November 14th at 2:00 PM at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312.
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