Johnnie V. Camechis

He lived independently, puttered around on his riding lawnmower, and tidied his yard until the day he died. While his loss is heartbreaking, he left us as he wanted to go: quickly, quietly, and peacefully.

Johnnie was born in Tallahassee on January 11, 1930, to Vick and Ellene Camechis of Patmos, Greece. His father passed away when Johnnie was a toddler, leaving behind his wife and six children. As a young boy, Johnnie helped his mother, who spoke little English, take care of the family by planting vegetable gardens and tending cows in a field on Franklin Boulevard. He and his older brother, Jimmy, hunted rabbits and squirrels in the woods of what is now Myers Park and the area around Governor’s Square.

Johnnie attended Leon High School where he was a barefoot track star and enjoyed many adventures with his lifelong friend, Johnny Patronis. He was heavily recruited to play varsity football at Leon, but declined, of course, because football season interfered with hunting season. While at Leon, he began dating Patsy Petrandis, the love of his life. They married after Patsy graduated and remained devoted to each other for 71 years until her passing.

After marrying, Johnnie joined the United States Coast Guard. He served as Boatswain's Mate, honing his navigation and seamanship skills while earning the moniker “Skippy.” He ended his service as a keeper of the St. Marks Lighthouse. He and Patsy, with their two small boys, were the last family to live in the duplex adjoining the lighthouse, braving the alligators and rattlesnakes that inhabited their yard.

After the couple moved back home, Johnnie worked for his father-in-law at the M&N Restaurant where he developed his legendary culinary skills. He later found his niche at the Capital Shoe Fixery, which he purchased in 1966. Patsy helped him run the shop for many years, providing a bountiful life for their family of six. Through hard work, skill, and honesty, he earned the respect and trust of people from all walks of life, enabling him and his son, Nick, to build a successful business that remains a Tallahassee fixture.

Johnnie retired in 1995 after working tirelessly his entire life, but he never slowed down. He spent his golden years in the woods; on the water; swapping long tales with his buddies on the phone, especially Terry “Big Red” Cooksey; reading the Tallahassee Democrat; gardening; cooking; and creating “inventions” to enhance his hobbies, including his dual-purpose PVC boat motor lift and umbrella holder as well as his barrel fish scaler (that he wished he had patented).

Johnnie was an enthusiastic and captivating storyteller who could fill libraries with tales from his life. Each day brought a new story, often about him rescuing a fellow fisherman or being rescued himself from the perilous floating islands of Lake Miccosukee, especially by his good friend, Henry Wiggins, “the best freshwater and fly fisherman” he ever saw.

While he actively pursued many hobbies, Johnnie’s greatest joy was being with his family and friends. Even though Johnnie never knew his father, he grew into the most caring, generous, and patient father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and father-figure that anyone could hope for. Johnnie was a pure soul who leaves behind a legacy of kindness, selflessness, and love. He never met a stranger and left a lasting impact on those he met, even if the meetings were brief. Johnnie was someone you felt lucky to know and even luckier to be loved by. He will be missed beyond measure.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Patsy; his parents; his brother, Jimmy; and his sisters, Anna, Mary, Katie, and Vickie.

He is survived by his children, Johnnie Camechis (Kathie), Nick Camechis, Elaine Suber, and Karen Camechis; three grandchildren, Patricia McRae (Zach), Caitlin Dawkins (Nick), and Nicholas Camechis; four great-grandchildren, Austin McRae, Everett McRae, Elizabeth Dawkins, and Violet Dawkins; and Michael Sullivan, who was like a son to him.

A celebration of Johnnie’s life will be held at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Immediately following, family members are invited to attend a graveside service at Roselawn Cemetery.