John A. Melear
March 14, 1932 — December 31, 2021
On December 31, 2021, John Aaron Melear bravely and gracefully finished his job here and was welcomed into Heaven by his Savior. He passed away at home listening to old hymns with his family by his side. John was born in Miami, Florida, on March 14, 1932, to M.W. (Bill) Melear and Frances Covington Melear.
He was an All-American quarterback at Miami Jackson High School and later became the first freshman quarterback to start for the Miami Hurricanes. On June 8, 1952, John married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Cleveland. After serving in the United States Army, John and Wilma settled in Boynton Beach, Florida, in 1955. For the next 20 years, John and his father owned and operated Learwood Dairy. He later co-owned and operated Atlantic Coast Fire Equipment Company with his family.
After 49 blissful years of marriage, John lost Wilma in 2001. In 2002, he reconnected with a high school friend, Rannie Watkins. They were happily married for 19 years.
Throughout the years, John led his family by example and taught them many invaluable lessons. The most important of those lessons: Love Jesus. Love People. John’s faith in God was at the very top of his priorities. For decades, he served faithfully at First Baptist Church of Boynton Beach where he and Wilma raised their children. His children and grandchildren were his world, and as much as he provided for them, the most precious gift he gave them was a foundation built on the love and grace of Jesus. John was a friend to all and knew no stranger. He had the innate ability to make anyone feel special, loved and like they were part of his family.
He is survived by his wife, Rannie Melear; his children, Brenda (Mike) Vaughn, Rick (Sherry) Melear and Cliff (Shannon) Melear; Grandchildren Aubrie Vaughn, Adrienne (Dan) Crain, Megan (Mark) Summerville, Brittany (Mike) Landis; Kyle (Erin) Melear, Leah (Nick) Carew, Erin Melear, Johnny Melear and Ashlynn Vaughn; 7 great-grandchildren.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at First Baptist Boynton, 301 N. Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org or to New Missions at https://www.newmissions.org/ in memory of John.
He was an All-American quarterback at Miami Jackson High School and later became the first freshman quarterback to start for the Miami Hurricanes. On June 8, 1952, John married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Cleveland. After serving in the United States Army, John and Wilma settled in Boynton Beach, Florida, in 1955. For the next 20 years, John and his father owned and operated Learwood Dairy. He later co-owned and operated Atlantic Coast Fire Equipment Company with his family.
After 49 blissful years of marriage, John lost Wilma in 2001. In 2002, he reconnected with a high school friend, Rannie Watkins. They were happily married for 19 years.
Throughout the years, John led his family by example and taught them many invaluable lessons. The most important of those lessons: Love Jesus. Love People. John’s faith in God was at the very top of his priorities. For decades, he served faithfully at First Baptist Church of Boynton Beach where he and Wilma raised their children. His children and grandchildren were his world, and as much as he provided for them, the most precious gift he gave them was a foundation built on the love and grace of Jesus. John was a friend to all and knew no stranger. He had the innate ability to make anyone feel special, loved and like they were part of his family.
He is survived by his wife, Rannie Melear; his children, Brenda (Mike) Vaughn, Rick (Sherry) Melear and Cliff (Shannon) Melear; Grandchildren Aubrie Vaughn, Adrienne (Dan) Crain, Megan (Mark) Summerville, Brittany (Mike) Landis; Kyle (Erin) Melear, Leah (Nick) Carew, Erin Melear, Johnny Melear and Ashlynn Vaughn; 7 great-grandchildren.
The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at First Baptist Boynton, 301 N. Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org or to New Missions at https://www.newmissions.org/ in memory of John.
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