John Evans Junkin IV

John was born in Miami Beach and grew up in Coral Gables, the only son of John Evans Junkin III (Jack) and Carolyn Junkin. A proud descendant of one of Miami’s founding families, he was a true Miamian.

A graduate of the University of Florida School of Architecture, John worked with Charles Harrison Pawley for a decade, where he met his wife, Cynthia Dembrow, a fellow architect. He later worked with Robert Bradford Browne before opening his own firm, PJB Architects.

John and Cynthia welcomed two daughters, Stella and Marjorie, after he turned forty. He was a very devoted father. The family was fortunate to live on a block with two dozen children under the age of eight. Each afternoon, traffic cones were set out and families would pour outside with tricycles and toys. As the sun would set, John and Cynthia led their daughters home, extolling these as their glory days.

An avid sailor, John took family and friends out on the water nearly every weekend. He was especially proud of winning the Biscayne Bay Columbus Day Regatta aboard his own Tartan yawl, the Cynthia. He was also part of the crew who won other races offshore on his friend’s yacht, Le Mistral. When his daughters discovered horseback riding at a very young age, as John had, he eventually sold his boat and traded sailing for life as their groom.

In later years, John developed a passion for flats fishing in the Everglades, and earlier pursuits of handball and running were traded in for tennis. John also loved to travel, and cherished his summers with family in North Carolina and France.

A devoted friend, John's close circle remained an important part of his life. He had a deep love for the natural world, and spent countless weekends with his wife and daughters exploring the Everglades, Fairchild Gardens, and Biscayne Bay. Later, he passed that passion on to his granddaughter Annick, with whom he spent many happy hours exploring nature together.

Throughout his career, John worked on multiple projects at the Miami International Airport, as well as many architecturally significant residences and schools throughout South Florida.

John is survived by his wife, Cynthia Dembrow Junkin; his daughter Stella Blair Romanov and her husband, Severin Nicholayevich Romanov; his grandchildren, Annick Severine Romanov and Luca Maxim Romanov; and his daughter, Marjorie Sue Junkin.

He will be remembered for his devotion to family, his love of the natural world, and the friendships he nurtured throughout his life.

A celebration of John's life will be held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Garden House.

If you wish to make a donation in John’s honor, please consider ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION or any Frontotemporal Dementia association of your choice.