John Grady Deshazo Jr.

John Grady DeShazo Jr. was born in Plant City to Bytha DeShazo and John DeShazo Sr. on November 17, 1952. He went to school in Tampa, Florida. John married Hope Haught in 1971, later divorced in 1973. He married Gail Gary in 1973, and his son, Jason J. DeShazo, was born in 1979, later divorced in 1988. He worked as a land surveyor and construction worker. John was involved in ministry in Fort Pierce and Tampa for many years. He was a pastor, evangelist, and minister working in churches, street ministry, food pantries, and more. He also was a chaplain in the juvenile detention system in Tampa. John fed the hungry and clothed the needy. He spent his life helping anyone he was able to, even when he didn’t have much. John spent the last 20+ years as his mother’s caregiver in Tampa.

John is survived by his son, Jason J. DeShazo, and his husband, Scott P. DeShazo, Mother Bytha L. DeShazo, Brother Jerry DeShazo, Sisters Sharon Terrebonne and Rosa Seaton.

Memorial services will be announced soon. This will be an in-person and virtual memorial held by his son, Jason.

John requested that donations in his honor be given to Rose Dynasty Foundation and Puravida Ministries through the Rose Dynasty website. www.rosedynasty.org/donations *Please place a note where you would like the money to go; otherwise, the funds will be split between the two non-profits. All donations are tax-deductible.

On November 17, 1952, John Deshazo Jr. was born. He came into this world with a clear-cut purpose. Still, his journey wasn’t easy; John weathered many trials, pain, and heartache. He married Gail and later had me. Many years later, amid a divorce, addiction, and pain, John had an encounter in a church in the middle of an orange grove that changed his life. He learned how loved and how important he was. John loved me when it seemed others didn’t. He didn’t understand much, but he always knew who I was and recognized my potential. John loved people, never hesitating to feed and clothe them, be they strangers or family. He clung to hope, never failing to uplift others. John went on loving people despite his pain. He loved others deeply and taught me how to do the same. My father taught me that despite how bad things got, there was hope and a light deep down. He believed in me; he was one of my biggest fans. He sacrificed his life for many people, including my granny and myself. He never stopped giving, regardless of how little he had. He cared for his mother, tirelessly protecting and loving her. On March 11, his time came to an end. If only I could sing “He Touched Me” with him again.

Rest well I Love you Daddy!

Love your son,

Spanky, Bub, Jason J DeShazo

A memorial gathering will for John will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614 with funeral services beginning at 1:30PM.

Following the services, the family invites you to have a Potluck and Fellowship at 4pm at the Rose Dynasty Center 1253 W Memorial Blvd Lakeland Fl 33815 ( Entrance is the back of the building).