John Atkinson Smoot Sr.'s Obituary
John Atkinson Smoot Sr. of Fort Myers, Florida passed away Monday, December 9, 2019 due to complications from a stroke he had suffered seven weeks earlier. He was 82 years old.
Born on March 4, 1937 in Leesburg, Virginia to father Frank Purcell Smoot and mother Thelma (Jones) Smoot. He Graduated from Randolph Macon Military academy 1955 and then joined the United States Air Force and served four proud years as an Airman from 1955-1959. He received specialized training in cryptography and worked as a operator who would intercept and decode radio transmissions from enemy forces while helping to keep American communications secure. He was also detached to the Air Police in support of their command and communication needs and was stationed at Francis E Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
His career for the airlines started with Northwest as a ticket agent and later in their air freight operations. Thearafter John joined TWA airlines working as a sales representative where he got to travel a lot to wonderful places. One of his favorites was Malta and Italy. John also became property manager for apartments in Bolingbrook, Illinois and Frederick, Maryland. In 1985, John moved to Fort Myers, Florida where he worked for Weaver’s Office Supply as sales representative. For The past 16 1/2 years John worked for AJ‘s florist as a delivery driver and he brought smiles to everyone. He is survived by his son John Atkinson Smoot Jr. , daughter-in-law Cindy, grandchildren Evan and Emily. He is forever remembered and loved by his fiancée Jeanine Stewart.
Johns wishes are to be cremated and scattered in the Gulf of Mexico.
From his Son (JR) John Atkinson Smoot Jr.
Life’s circumstances forced us into a unique father-son relationship with my most vivid childhood memories of us riding through Old Town Alexandria (VA) with the top down on a Saturday afternoon listening to Motown music. Even though these are my most vivid memories our relationship didn't result in much time spent together during my pre-adult years. In spite this we grew much closer during my adult years and there are folks that, if they knew one but had not met the other, were amazed at the similarities in personality. From that I can only gather that I picked up his sense of humor and love of people. He always seemed to know everyone and if not showed a genuine interest in them with a deep and genuine gratitude in any sign of courtesy extended to him. This is something I have tried to emulate though not as well as he pulled it off. As for laughter I can't count the times we would laugh until we cried at something funny but especially at Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, and Foghorn Leghorn. While I don't know the NUMBER of times I DO know that the last time we did so he was in his 80's and I in my 50's - heck it could've even been earlier this year - there were very few phone calls and visits that didn't present us an opportunity for an appropriate Looney Tunes quote. I've yet to get his grandson THAT into Bugs, Sam and Foghorn and with him being 22 years old my chances are probably getting slimmer by the day, but I'm still trying and regardless of whether I'm successful or not I will remember those moments when dad and I would quote Bugs, Sam, and Foghorn back and forth to each other and have a good long laugh.
From his fiancée Jeanine Stewart
I met John 20 years ago. He was my neighbor who became my best friend and soulmate. I knew I loved him even though we had a such big age difference. We had everything in common.He was a big kid in an older body. John always said he was like Peter Pan, he could never grow up. He loved his red corvette More than anything and loved to go fast, with my white knuckles clinging onto the dashboard! We went everywhere and did everything. One of our favorite places to go, which we were just recently talking about was “Stans”, in Goodland near Marco island. He loved cruising and we went cruising all over. He would always say “ Let’s take the long way home.” John loved music and all kinds and he would listen to music that was my from my generation. He didn’t listen to Frank Sinatra! No he listen to Pink & Floyd or Fleetwood Mac & he would crank it up too!!
He would always stop at what ever watering hole there was along the way. He loved discovering new things and new places. John also loved Halloween. He really could get into dressing up and doing the craziest things. Christmas was always a special time and he would drive us around looking at Christmas lights every Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day John looked forward to celebrating with my family and my family always included John, he was part of our family. I took care of my mom until she was 94 years old and she just passed away this October. John was with me the entire time and was my rock. He told me that I was a great daughter and that taking care of my mom and keeping her out of a nursing home was more important to him than taking me away from my mom. So for the past several years we never did get married, because I put my mother needs first and John encouraged me to do that. He was such a good man and a good person. He regrets a lot of things that he did in his younger years and he used that as an example to set. He would always tell me “Don’t do as I do, do as I say”. John taught me a lot of things and I have grown a lot since I have been with him. John, I will treasure every place we went and remember all of the wonderful times we had. We both knew when we met each other we were soulmates. I feel like my heart and my soul has been taken from me. Losing both you and my mother has been unbearable. I miss you more than you can imagine and hope to be reunited with you again one day. I love you John now, forever and always, your sweetiepie, Nite Nite .
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