Mr. John Charles Cripps, Jr., 80, passed away after a lengthy illness on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

He was born in Calhoun, GA, and was a son of the late John C. and Martha Greene Cripps.

John moved to the Miami area with his family and graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he participated in several extracurricular activities and played saxophone in the band. He then attended Dade Junior College and eventually transferred to Florida State University. At Florida State, he was also in the band and was on the school newspaper staff.

He proudly served his country in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves. Throughout his life John enjoyed sailing, camping, playing chess, building model ships, and practicing calligraphy. He also continued his love of music, learning how to play the organ and bagpipes. John also wrote a couple of novels and found great joy in composing poems which he would freely hand out to those he encountered to brighten their day.

A longtime teacher, he moved to Fernandina Beach in the early 1980’s and taught English at Fernandina Beach High School, West Nassau, and FSCJ. He also coached the debate team while at West Nassau. Mr. Cripps was also involved with the Amelia Community Theater, where he met his wife, Diane Cripps, who passed away in 2014. John and Diane were active members of Memorial United Methodist Church where John had also served as an assistant pastor for a time.

He leaves behind his son, Adam Cripps of Fernandina Beach, a brother, Bill Cripps, also of Fernandina Beach, and a cousin, Jim Cripps, of Jacksonville.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM.

Mr. Cripps will be laid to rest beside his parents in a 2:00 PM graveside service on Friday, December 30, 2022 at Oak Grove Cemetery in Americus, GA.