John Wayne Beckett, 87, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., died peacefully on Friday morning, May 31, 2026.

John was born on March 23, 1939, in the family home in Comfort, W.Va., to Kenneth and Gertrude Beckett. The family moved to Fernandina Beach in 1955 during John’s senior year of high school. He graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1956 and also returned to West Virginia to walk with his classmates at Sherman High School in Seth. John attended West Virginia Tech and Barber School in Jacksonville, Florida. He was “John the Barber” to many, and owned John’s Barber Shop on Eighth Street for 42 years.

John played for many years in the men’s association at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club and bowled in a league in Jacksonville. He also played fast-pitch softball as a pitcher. John served on the board for Fernandina Beach Little League and he sponsored The Hornets team, each spring. He religiously followed his beloved Dodgers and Gators.

John and his wife, Delores, purchased his family home, and upon retirement, they spent half the year in their mountain home along Joes Creek, a gathering place for friends and family.

John was an active member of the Fernandina Beach Church of Christ, and he and Delores attended Peytona Church of Christ while in West Virginia.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Larry; his sister, Trudy; and his sister-in-law, Cathy. He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Delores Beckett; his son, John Henry (Sissy) Beckett; his stepson, Scott Atkins; and his stepdaughter, Beth Jones, all of Fernandina Beach; his brother, Stephen Beckett of Palatka; a sister-in-law, Darlene Beckett of Boca Raton; nine grandchildren, Jordan (Cierra), Jonathan, Emma, Jensen and Brynlee Beckett, Allie and Seth Atkins, Caleb Jones and Sarah (Daniel) Smotherman; five great-grandchildren, Cambry and Josephine Beckett, and Cooper, Teddy and Koen Smotherman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A viewing and visitation will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 11 am in the Burgess Chapel at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, located in Fernandina Beach, with Bryan Jarvis officiating.

The service will follow at noon. John will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery in Fernandina Beach, Florida.