John Thomas North passed peacefully at his home in Palm Harbor Florida on Saturday July 20th 2024, comforted by his two sons Steve and Mike. PamPam, as he was known by his family, was born in Carbondale, IL on December 16, 1933, to Russel and Lois North. He grew up a farmers son working the fields and training hunting dogs. He was a superior hunter and loved the outdoors. As a child, JT, as he was known at home, attended a one room schoolhouse where he was influenced by his inspirational mentor Ruth Lazar. He knew at an early age he wanted to become an educator and he pursued that calling his entire life. After a very successful academic and track career, JT graduated Carbondale High and enrolled at Southern Illinois University in the ROTC program. It was at SIU where he met his soon to be wife Jeanie. He loved to tell the story how they met as she was ironing in her sorority house. They soon married and became an Air Force couple from 1957-1959. While he was serving at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD the couple had their first son Steve. Eager to pursue his dream of being an educator JT left the Air Force and went on to get a master’s degree in School Administration at SIU and an Advanced Certificate from the University of Illinois. During that time, he held jobs as a teacher, principal and Assistant Superintendent. Once he and Jeanie had their second son Michael, they decided to settle down in Charleston, IL and devote themselves to education. In 1969/70, JT went back to school one more time to get his PhD in School Administration at Indiana University. He would later say that academically, those two years were the happiest he ever experienced. In 1970, he was hired by Eastern Illinois University where he began a 22-year career as a professor in Secondary Education. From 1984-1992 he served as the Department Chair of the Secondary Education and Foundations Department. JT retired in 1992 and he and Jeanie moved to Palm Harbor Florida where they spent a splendid retirement traveling, entertaining and loving on their two sons and their families. JT was an avid golfer and collector of art glass. He loved to entertain and dance with his bride of 66 years, and he thoroughly enjoyed his friends in Palm Harbor, especially the Wednesday happy hour crowd, and his friends in Louisville, especially his golf group. JT is survived by his sons Steve (Edna) and Mike (Angie) and his grandchildren Adara (Mady), Octavia, Jakob (Tressia) and Jalen and his great granddaughters Natalie and Audrey.
His family would like to thank so much the doctors and caregivers at Moffitt Cancer Center and the incredible care givers at Suncoast Hospice.
There will be a celebration of life on Wednesday July 24th at 3PM at Dobies funeral home in Tarpon Springs, FL.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is requesting friends donate to the American Cancer Society.
Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home - Tarpon Chapel
Vincent and Carmen McCord
July 22, 2024, 8:13 pm
We only got two know John recently, when we moved to the Turnberry Building two years ago. He was the first to greet us, knocking on our door with a bottle of champagne for us, along with words of welcome.
He was an extraordonarily kind man. We shall miss him, as will many others at Innisbrook.
Cindi and Bruce Wellman
July 23, 2024, 2:00 am
John and Jean North were remarkable people. Very kind and friendly to all. We are so sorry to hear of his passing. We will miss him and his cheerful greetings! Heartfelt sympathy to his family from us and all of his friends at Innisbrook.
Florine Mason Masciantonio
July 23, 2024, 1:00 pm
Gerry and Karen Flaugher introduced me to John. He was so friendly and I felt I knew him forever.
I enjoyed his company at parties and the pool for lunch.
I will miss that smiling face and cheerful greetings.
My deepest sympathies to your family for your loss!
Christine Evans
July 23, 2024, 7:01 pm
Mr. North was always so kind and friendly. I enjoyed talking to him when he came to lunch at loch ness. He always asked about my boys. We talked school, baseball and some more baseball. What an incredible man and I will miss him & our chats.
Rest in peace🙏
My thoughts and prayers for Steve, Mike and the North family 🙏💕
Carly Erickson
July 25, 2024, 2:05 pm
I knew Mr. North through the Salamander Spa at Innisbrook. He came to see me regularly over the last couple of years for pedicures. We immediately became friends. John North is one of the most kind hearted men I’ve ever met. We would talk about our families and the best local restaurants. Every time I saw him he would talk about his wife. All of the women around us would almost be in tears after listening to the way he spoke about her. After our hour together he would hug me goodbye and tell me he was going to miss me. I miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was an amazing person.