John Michael Babcock

Colonel John M. Babcock was born on July 18th, 1958 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. to Robert L. Babcock and Mary M. (Brozoski) Babcock. John died on August 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Florida, after a very brief illness. He was 62 years old.

John attended elementary schools on various military bases from Maine to Florida. When his father returned from Vietnam in 1971, the family moved to Homestead, Florida. John attended and graduated from high school at South Dade Senior High, class of 1976. John attended and graduated from The University of Florida (Gainesville) in 1981.

Desiring to serve his country, John joined the US Air Force in 1982. He attended and graduated from the US Air Force Officer’s Training School (AFOTS) in 1982 at Lackland Air Force Base, Medina Annex, Texas. Upon graduation from AFOTS, John was commissioned a 2nd Lt and ordered to attend Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) flying T-1’s at Mather AFB, California. John served his country for more than 20 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel (O-6).

John began his second career serving our country in the Records Section for the Miami Beach Police Department, Miami Beach, Florida. John finally retired from the Miami Beach Police Department after 20 years of faithful service.

John was predeceased in death by his father, T/Sgt Robert L. Babcock. He is survived by his mother, Mary M. Babcock (Pembroke Pines), brothers Dr. Robert M. Babcock (Arizona), and Joseph S. Babcock (Alabama), sisters Mary K. Mazer, RN (Miami Beach) and Barbara A. Babcock (Texas), nephews Joshua M. Babcock (Arizona) and Jeremiah J. Babcock (Michigan), niece Savannah M. Babcock (Arizona), niece Jennifer A. Mazer (Tennessee) and nephew Michael R. Mazer (Florida).

The funeral will be Friday, August 14, 2020, at 2:00pm, at the Caballero Rivero Palms Woodland Funeral Home and Cemetery, at 27100 Old Dixie Hwy, Naranja, FL 33032.

Due to COVID only a small family ceremony is planned. Individuals can attend the graveside ceremony which will begin at approximately 2:50pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Air Force Aid Society in John Babcock’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmswoodlawnnaranja.com for the Babcock family.