John Clyde Pelham, Jr.

John Clyde Pelham, Jr of Tallahassee died on Monday, July 12, 2021 having lived 71 years and 85 days. He passed away surrounded by loved ones. John was kind, caring, and patient. His final thoughts were of others; unburdening those who loved him and his last words were, “I love you”.

John was born on April 18, 1950, to John Clyde Pelham, Sr and Irene Baxley Pelham and grew up in Graceville, Florida. He loved and excelled in sports in high school. After graduating Salutatorian from Graceville High School, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in European History and a Master of Science Degree in Administration and Supervision from Troy State University. He was a high school teacher and coached football for a few years before deciding to study law. He was devoted to helping others and served a number of years as a counselor to young men at American Legion Boys State. John received his Juris Doctorate from The Florida State University College of Law and dedicated almost thirty-three years to his work as an attorney with Pennington Law Firm in Tallahassee.

Johnny, as the family called him, was the youngest of six children of Clyde and Irene, whom he remembered and adored always. His father was the police chief of the small town where the family lived. His mother worked nights at the peanut mill and managed to cook a mid-day meal each day that the children came home from school to enjoy. He revered his siblings; Joyce, Jerry, Joan, Janie, and Joe. Every lesson learned and passed on was always attributed to the brother or sister that taught it and they were all wise teachers.

As a young child, Johnny had his first job delivering papers. Perhaps that is where his love of reading and the newspaper first started. Johnny traded in the books that used to litter his side table for a Kindle years ago but nothing could replace the newspaper. He enjoyed a cup of coffee and the paper most mornings, usually skipping right to the sports section to check on the Seminoles or Braves. He loved his teams, but enjoyed sports in general. He admired the purity of sport and had a knack for remembering sports facts like no other.

Family was everything to Johnny. He married his first wife, Linda after junior college and they were promptly blessed with children Cori and Jay. The young family remained in Tallahassee where he practiced law for years. In the early nineties Linda became ill and Johnny researched and advocated tirelessly for the best treatments, caring for her until her death. Johnny couldn’t quote a movie or sing a song by heart but he could and would site all of the accomplishments of his kids and grandkids. His love was faithful and complete.

After being diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Johnny researched and worked with Dr. Amit Jain to get cutting edge care. The family would like to thank Dr. Jain, Joe Sollohub, RN, and the caring staff at One Healing Place who provided kind and dedicated care for seven years. This gave him more time to do the things he loved, including being with his wife Karen and his family, traveling, walking in the park with his dogs, and playing golf with his brother and lifelong friend.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents John Clyde Pelham, Sr and Irene Baxley Pelham, his first wife, Linda Jackson Pelham, and his sisters Joyce Pelham Bennington and Joan Pelham Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of almost twenty years, Karen Boggs Pelham; children Cori Carter (Scott), Jay Pelham (Jessie), and Erin Lamonica (Aaron Halford); grandchildren Jace Edgar, Wesley Carter, Macon Carter, and Lachlan Pelham; siblings Jerry Pelham (Peggy), Janie Sewell (Larry), Joe Pelham (Diane), brothers and sisters in law John Boggs, Brenda Boggs, Larry Jackson (Carolyn), Sandi Watson (Gene), Barbara Joyner (Steve), many nieces, nephews, friends, and his furry girls Gelene and Della.

John, Johnny, Johnny P., Pop, or Mr. J.; however you knew him, you knew a wonderful man.

A gathering of family and friends in honor of Johnny will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem, 1920 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303; Leon County Humane Society, 413 Timberlane Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32312; Tallahassee Animal Services, 1125 Easterwood Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32311 or the charity of your choice. Please consider becoming vaccinated for yourself, your loved ones, and people like Johnny whose medical conditions prevent them from receiving the benefits of vaccinations.