John Henry Waite

John was born on August 6, 1935 in Champion, New York. He was the son of Helena Mae Fitzgerald and Merritt Duane Waite. John was number six of their nineteen children.

John was raised on the family dairy farm in Champion and graduated from the West Carthage Grade School, with the completion of eighth grade. He was employed as a painter by his father, Merritt, while still working the family farm. John worked several jobs during the non winter months and and in the winter would would travel the United States with friends and brothers. He loved traveling and adventure - and never stopped.

John served in the Army National Guard of the State of New York and was Honorably Discharged in March 1958.

In March 1960, John met the love of his life at a dance in Champion, NY. He married June Ellen Thompson on September 3, 1961 at the Baptist Church in Castorland, NY. After two months of marriage, they moved to Lake Worth, Florida, where they lived and worked for the next forty years.

During those years, they started their own company (in 1969, Waite Painting). June managed the office, secretarial/bookkeeping work, while John worked the painting/customer/employees side of the business. They retired in February, 2001 moving to Okeechobee, FL full-time where they had maintained a second home for many years.

During the decades of married life, John traveled with June and their children to a lot of the lower forty-eight states as well as Alaska, Canada, and in 1981 the Holy Land. Many times he and June returned to New York for class reunions, family gatherings and other occasions. They were able to fit in five cruises, as well, which was great as John loved to be on the water.

John was an active member of the Civilian Club in Lake Worth, FL. He was a long-time, faithful member of of the First United Methodist Church in Okeechobee, FL. John’s many joys and loves in his life included his family, friends, neighbors, and church. He was also an avid fisher, hunter, and traveler which took him many places in and out of the country.

After June passed, John moved to Houston, TX to live with his daughter and son- in-law, Joy and Eric Walker.

John is survived by his loving daughters, Jan Waite of West Palm Beach, FL and Joy (Eric) Walker of Houston, TX; granddaughters Erika and Monica Walker; and son, Robert (Nova) Waite of Pennsylvania.

John is also survived by his brothers: Duane (Ada), Ernie (Gina), Paul, and Jerry (Michael) and sisters: Sarah (William), Ellen (James), Helen (Joseph), and Martha (Patrick), as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers: Herb, George, Harold, David, Howard, Kenneth, and sisters: Evelyn, Mary, Irene, and Carol.

The celebration of John’s life will be held at the Champion Second United Methodist Church, 20336 County Route 47, Carthage, NY 13619 on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 11:00am. A processional to the gravesite will follow for the interment of both John and June’s ashes.

The reception is scheduled for 1:00pm at Busted Grapes, 19557 Ball Rd, Black River, NY 13612 (315.777.0932).

If sending flowers, please have delivered to the church at the above address.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/houston-cremation for the Waite family.