John Paul Loving

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on November 19th, 1935, to James Raymond Loving and Naomi Hull Persinger. In 1949, the family moved from Roanoke, Virginia to Saint Augustine, Florida where he enjoyed his days with friends and family until his graduation from Ketterlinus High School in 1954. While working at Fairchild Aviation, he met Mary Grace Pickette of Palm Valley and, as he used to say, “that was it for me”. They were married for 51 wonderful years.

John was employed as a mailman for most of his career and had many fond memories of serving the San Marco area of Jacksonville for years. His friendly disposition and hard work endeared him to all on his mail route.

He was a man devoted to his wife and family. He and Mary enjoyed taking trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains, antiquing, and loved spending time with their six grandchildren, especially to play dominoes and enjoy “Loving Sundaes”. When he was with his grandkids, he was perpetually smiling. He also enjoyed listening to music, playing his ukulele, fishing, gardening, and watching birds, and many of those hobbies have been handed down to his children. He will be remembered for his quick wit, his caring personality, and his love of being a father, grandfather, and husband.

He is predeceased by his wife, Mary Grace Loving (Pickette), his brother James Raymond Loving Jr (Dot), his sister Betty Jo Dowling (George), and his sister Eleanor Ruth Loving (Tootie).

He is survived by his brother, William Gregory Loving (Randi), his three children, John James Loving (Melinda), Cynthia Loving Scully (Chris), and William Persinger Loving (Kim), and his grandchildren Mindy (Matt), Jack (Sophia), Mary Grace, Susannah, Sara, and Will Jr.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Atria Park of San Pablo, the Long-Term Care Center at Cypress Village, and Community Hospice of Jacksonville. Their care and support are deeply appreciated by our family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Community Hospice of Jacksonville.

A memorial service will be held Monday, 9/19, at 11:00 at the Legacy Lodge Event Center at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207.