Jessie James Myrick Jr.

age 65, transitioned on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at his home in Palm Harbor, Florida. Jessie was born in Clearwater, FL on January 4, 1958 to Luella Horne Myrick and Jessie Myrick, Sr.

Though Jessie was known by many as ‘Chop; called Daddy by me; and known by his baby brother Jeff as ‘Bubba’--He ultimately was known best for: wearing his big tender heart on his sleeve; always smelling amazing due to his exquisite collection of the finest colognes; his charisma, free spirit and unapologetic zeal for life and love. Highly intellectual(or as he’d say—“I’m mucho intellegente’)--if within an earshot of one of his candid conversations, you just might be “graced” with a quintessential euphemism of his— such as: “Say what you Mean and Mean what you Say!”; “There’s Greatness within You!”; “I’m not Scared of You!”; “Nike says Just Do It!”; or “ I Can’t, should NOT be in your Vocabulary!” Jessie was dynamic, like a chameleon—seamlessly able to engage with anyone regardless of status or background and not miss a beat.

Just as a thought of Jessie/Chop/Bubba or my Daddy permeates your mind, like a whisper in the wind... Keep his memory alive, when you catch yourself saying one of his phrases; or feel his impression in your day to day routine. When were you enlightened or positively impacted by Jessie? Can you recall at this very moment, one of his phrases not already mentioned above?

Growing up in Safety Harbor, Florida--Chop attended elementary, middle and high school in Pinellas county. His best known nickname was solidified at a young age because of his absolute love of Porkchops! As a 1976 bicentennial graduate of Dunedin High School, he quickly enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Yeoman where he performed Legal administrative and clerical work. In this choice, he was continuing with a legacy —spanning back to at least the early 1800s, when his American indian ancestors had ‘significant ties’ to Fort Negro (also known as Fort Gadsden) along the Appalachicola-Chattahoochee River(s) in our Mother Country of Southeastern America; more specifically in the areas surrounding Jackson county, Florida. After 3 years of service in California, Jessie returned to Safety Harbor, Fl and married his childhood sweetheart Linda Gammon (Cobb) on August 14, 1979. Stationed in Pensacola, Fl for 4 years, Jessie and Linda loved playing tennis together there. They even did so into the 3rd trimester of their pregnancy with 1st child, a babygirl eventually to become Dr. Sharie Monique, born on August 31st, 1981. While stationed in Jacksonville, Florida a second child, Austin Lavar was born on March 6th, 1986.

Bidding the US Navy farewell with an Honorable discharge in 1985, eventually he returned to his hometown of Clearwater, Florida where he would pursue a new career as as a mortgage investor. In March 1987, his 1st Marriage of 8 Years ended in divorce. On August 5, 1995, he wed his 2nd wife, Darleene Monroe and divorced a number of years later. In 2003, upon meeting Beatrice Starling, he became so smitten that their companionship span a course of over 13 years, sharing 7 of those in matrimony with her as his 3rd wife. Though divorced in 2016, they found themselves back in each others arms and remarried on October 26, 2021. Throughout his retirement years, Jessie and Beatrice despite being separated at the time of his transition, enjoyed travel, fishing and leisure at their special places like the Seminole Boat Dock & Satellite Beach, living life to its fullest and abundantly! He spent the end of his journey until his time of transition with companion and caregiver Linda Kirkland.

Chop absolutely adored embodying somewhat celebrity-like vibes while in the presence of his hangout partners. He yearned for opportunities to live vicariously, always treasuring gatherings to reminisce swapping stories of good and bad time experiences from youth into adulthood. Total enjoyment of life, travel, laughter, fun, soulful music of various genres, including New and Old School would be the footnotes to the Soundtrack and ‘Spice’ of Chop’s life. He truly loved socializing, good times and good music. And could carry a nice tune too. He possessed many natural gifts bestowed upon him by our Divine Creator including that of a beautifully melodic voice. One of his absolute favorite songs to sing was Teddy Pendergrass, “When Somebody Loves You Back”.

A Daughter’s Perspective:

Family Ties & his Faith were integral to Daddy’s foundation. He always kept his mother and father’s memory on the forefront of his mind, frequently visiting their resting places, with flowers and balloons on their birthdays, anniversaries and often just because. He loved his baby brother and owned his nickname ‘Bubba’ graciously. Regarding our relationship, he truly seemed to elevate our connection to new heights especially when I needed him most. He had a way of knowing when I needed to talk to him and was always an ear to listen. He’d call and say, “ Hey, What’s up? “I’m Feeling’ you--Are you ok?” My daddy was the perfect balance of nurturing and protective. I admired the strength he unapologetically exuded in never being afraid to cry when feeling emotions. We’d often lose track of the hours, engaged in our candid talks delving into deep subject matter, laughing, other times crying or just ‘choppin’ it up. My daddy always came equipped with his fatherly love, advice, financial/emotional support and even holiday cheer during Christmas in 2022. He made numerous trips up to Jacksonville to spend quality time with ”his golden child”(a nickname he always called me) and granddaughter Nandhi. His presence to assist with moving to a new place, to facilitate my recovery from 2 surgeries and to witness milestones such as Nandhi’s 6th birthday were but a few examples of Daddy’s outward display of love for family. I’ll truly miss hearing his beautiful voice sing me my special birthday song, especially this year and going forward. I cherish these memories particularly considering Nandhí’s party would be the last time I’d hug his neck or kiss his cheek. I’m truly appreciative of the notion that he was not only my Father but also my friend. The lack of his physical presence on this side will surely leave a void. I’ll never stop loving you, Daddy—Know that Sharie Monique loves you Back!

Preceding him in his Transition to the Afterlife on August 19, 2023, include: his parents Luella and Jessie Myrick, Sr.; Devoted Great Uncle: Luther Golden, Jr.; 5 Uncles: Arthur James Horne, Amos Horne, Lee Morris Horne, Ice Horne, Hyram Horne; 1 Auntie: Annie Ray Harris; His Maternal Ancestral lineage of Grands include: Charlotte Pittman and Isaac Horne; Carrie Young and Thomas Pittman, Sr(1x); Elizabeth Dixon and Wiley Pittman(2x); Charlotte Young and Thomas Young(2x); Ophelia Jackson and Bartow Horne(1x); Rachel Highsmith and London Horne(2x) and his Paternal Ancestral Lineage of Grands include: Ethel Myrick Harvey and Charley Baker; Hagar Baker and Alexander AC Myrick(1x); Lucy Baker and Jessie Baker, Jr.(2x); Sallie Everette and Tom Myrick, Sr(2x); Plassie Long and Luther Golden, Sr.(1x); Hastie Baker and Jack Golden(2x). All Indigenous to Jackson County, Florida.

Those others left to venerate his being and reflect on cherished moments include: his wife: Beatrice Myrick; Two Children from his first marriage: Dr. Sharie Monique Myrick, Austin Lavar Myrick(Brandy); Four Grandchildren: Nandhí Tirzah Myrick-Bing, Byron Jayden Myrick, Austin Myrick, Jr., Laila Marie Myrick; One Brother: Jeff Myrick (Sheri), Two Nieces: Khamiya Myrick, Dr. Kiara Hodge, One Nephew: Jeffrey Myrick, II; One Uncle: Eddie Horne (Daisy). And a host of other relatives, cousins, friends and colleagues both near and dear.

In lieu of Flowers, anyone who wishes to honor Jesse Myrick, Jr. can do so by making a contribution to his granddaughter Nandhí Tirzah’s college fund savings via Navy Federal Credit Union.

We the family of Jessie ‘Chop’ Myrick, Jr. want to extend to all who called, sent condolences and provided support to us in some shape form or fashion, Blissings, Light & Sheer Abundance to you and to your generations yet to manifest!!! We are beyond grateful and set positive intentions that our Divine Creator will encompass each of us with Radiant Peace Surpassing All Understanding, and eventually elated Joy upon reflection on cherished memories of our Jessie.

To watch the service live please click this link at 6 pm:

https://vimeo.com/user163466947