John "Jack" H. Canaday

John was born September 30, 1934 in Clearwater, Florida, to Angela and Henry Canaday. Shortly after, the family moved to Sarasota where John graduated from Sarasota Sailor High. After graduation, he joined the army and was stationed in Germany. After six years of service, he returned to Sarasota to work for Anderson Ford and in 1966, he transferred to Herb Williams Ford in Brooksville. In 1968, he started John’s Small Engine Clinic where he later added Hurricane Battery sales until the business closed in 1985 due to a fire. He went on to work for P&B Sales where he retired in 1999.

In 1976, John met Betty Jean Merritt and soon after proposed marriage and they tied the knot in 1977. He and Betty made a life for themselves and their blended family in Brooksville, Florida, and enjoyed a marriage that endured for 48 years.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching auto racing. He was passionate about NASCAR and sprint car racing and especially enjoyed sharing this hobby with his brother, Bob. In his early years he even raced cars with Bob and later in life they would attend the 12 Hours of Sebring catching the sights and sounds of the race from the Green Park.

John never met a stranger. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor; often teasing and playing jokes on the ones he loved. Another of John’s passions was feeding the birds and squirrels. He loved to identify the birds that came by to feast at his many feeders he hung outside his windows looking into his backyard.

Throughout his life, John was fond of dogs and in 2019 he adopted his dog, Jojo. Jojo would become his closest companion spending almost all of his days and nights right in John’s lap or by his feet. Jojo was the epitome of a man’s best friend. He loved and protected John until the very end.

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John is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Canaday and Angela Canaday; brother, Robert (Bob) Canaday; sister-in-law, Rosemary Canaday; nephew, Rob Canaday; and daughter-in-law, Cathy Canaday.

John is survived by his wife, Betty Jean; his beloved dog, Jojo; son, Glenn Canaday; son, Dale Canaday (Rebecca); son, Chet Merritt (Lynne); daughter, Charlotte Merritt; and daughter, Jeanie Gassman (Randy); 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00-10:30am, Friday, September 5, 2025 at Merritt Funeral Home (2 South Lemon Avenue, Brooksville, FL 34601), where Funeral Services begin at 10:30am. The Committal Service will follow at 12:30pm at Florida National Cemetery (6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in John’s honor to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home for families without support. Donations can be mailed to: Operation Patriot, P.O. Box 244, Brandon, FL 33509, phone number (813)544-8403.