April 20, 1938 – August 18, 2021
John Herbert Innerarity was born in St. Ann, Jamaica on April 20, 1938 to Calvin and Annie Innerarity. John was the fifth of seven children. His father was Headmaster of the elementary school as well as a local preacher in the Methodist Church. His mother was an elementary school teacher. They were both very well known and well loved in the community and set the standard when it came to social involvement in the school, church, and agricultural arenas.
John’s roots are firmly planted in Jamaica. He grew up in a large and loving family with a love of music and musical instruments. With his deep bass voice he was often called on to join the choir and the sound of the family singing together in the evenings was not unfamiliar to the neighbors. At home, John would lead the charge when it came to building handmade board games and early versions of skateboards. And backyard cricket with handmade bats was always on the agenda.
But one of his greatest passions was the care and maintenance of motor vehicles. As a child he would draw the most technically accurate motor cars and trucks, almost perfect in every detail including fancy grilles and spokes for the wheels. As he grew older he became adept at making repairs when a car was “just not running right”. And driving a huge truck so everyone could hear and appreciate the changing of the gears at full speed was his hallmark!
No wonder then that when he migrated to New York with his wife Olive Merle (nee Wisdom) he continued his education in this field achieving certification in automotive mechanics and worked with the city of New York for many years.
John and Olive (known as Aunt Merle to his many nieces and nephews) moved to Palm Coast over 20 years ago where they became active in the life of the community and especially the Palm Coast United Methodist church. Here too, he was the “go-to” person when someone needed to have their vehicle “looked at” which he was always more than happy to do.
A fun loving couple, they could always recount stories of the most recent cruise they had gone on or the latest party where they danced until the wee hours of the morning!
John’s children, Lesa and Jimmy, reflecting on times shared with their dad recall “your love, smile and good humor will forever live in our hearts” and his “warmth for all – families and strangers who become good friends, your sarcastic wit, and your observation of others with that gleam in your eyes shining through your eyeglass-shaded lenses.” They say, “I love you dad, I miss you and always will. Love you always and forever.”
John is preceded in death by his brothers Aldwyn, Gladstone, and Winston and sister Ernesta.
He is survived by Olive, his wife of 62 years, children Lesa Innerarity-Smith and Jimmy Innerarity; grandchildren Nicolus Innerarity, Chiemeka Bowen, Dakarai Smith and Kwesi Smith; great grandchildren Bryan Powell, Ajani Smith and Omari Smith. Also celebrating his life are his sisters Dorothy Clarke and Hyacinth Billings, numerous nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Lovingly Submitted
The Innerarity Family
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