John R Espey

ESPEY, John Richard, 85, passed peacefully on January 9, 2024 after a short stay at Mease Countryside Hospital. Born in Valparaiso, IN, he moved to Clearwater in 1951 with his mother, Helen, and younger brother, Jim. They joined Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he was a lifelong member and met his loving wife of 62 years, Martha Erwin. John was a 1956 graduate of Clearwater High School and a 1961 graduate of Florida State University. After graduating, he became a math teacher Dunedin High School. After several years in the classroom, he obtained a master’s degree in guidance at the University of Florida. While there, he had to rush back to Clearwater for the birth of first daughter, Elizabeth Sue (Ellis). The young family moved to New York, where John took an editing job with Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich in Manhattan and rode the train in from Tarrytown every day. His 2nd daughter, Joy McLean (Miller), was born while there, and her birth spurred a move home to Florida. He stayed with the same company, traveling the southeast as a rep for the testing division. He ran for the Pinellas County School Board, serving 4 terms. John then transitioned into a career as a real estate agent, broker and investor. Investing in real estate over the years allowed John and Martha to move to their beloved Edgewater Dr, beginning with the waterfront street they lived on in a caretaker’s apartment as newlyweds, and in their later years owning 3 different homes there. In Dunedin, he was a Rotarian, and a member of DCO, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Koffee Klatch. John will be remembered as a jokester, attention-seeker and an avid garage sale shopper who enjoyed driving his golf cart around the Edgewater area. He was notorious for his independent streak and doing things his way. He was a man with a heart of gold and big smile for all, working tirelessly helping the homeless and others in need. In addition to his wife and daughters, John is survived by his nephew, James, grandson Johnathan Ellis, granddaughters Kate and Keri Miller, and son-in-law Thomas Miller. A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, January 20, 11:00am at Peace Memorial Church, 110 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue. Obituary link: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/11619434. For those unable to attend, watch live or later at: https://www.youtube.com/@peacememorialpresbyterianc5386. In lieu of flowers, please donate blood or contribute to Peace Memorial or the Alzheimer's Association.