Grover McKinley Comer III

Grover McKinley “JR” Comer III, 71, of Fleming Island, FL passed away peacefully with his immediate family by his side on August 19, 2023, at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, after a short period of declining health. JR was a beloved husband for 49 years to Julie Brou Comer, and a loving father to his daughter Lauren Edmunds of Green Cove Springs, FL, son Justin Comer of Fleming Island, FL , and his youngest daughter Shannon Comer of Denver, CO. He was a cherished grandfather, “Pops”, to Khloe, Patrick and Charlotte. He also leaves behind his brother Carl “Pete” Comer of Ocean Springs, MS. JR was preceded in death by his parents, Grover McKinley Comer Jr and Adelaide Hawley Comer of Ocean Springs, MS.

Born in Biloxi, MS but raised in Ocean Springs, MS, JR became a standout student and athlete at Ocean Springs High School. Excelling in academics, becoming the yearbook editor, and captain of the varsity football team were just some of his accolades. After high school, JR followed in his father’s footsteps in service to our great nation. Unlike his father who joined the Army, JR enlisted in the United States Navy where he spent the first half of his professional career progressing from an enlisted Aviation Electrician to becoming an officer as a Lieutenant. While serving 22 years in the Navy, JR also earned a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and his Master's Degree from Central Michigan University.

JR retired from the Navy to Fleming Island, FL where he started the second phase of his professional career. That career was spent in the financial services industry where JR started out at Barnett Bank which turned in Nation’s Bank that ended up becoming Bank of America. Honing his craft JR became a consultant for Netbank, later working for mortgage company RBMG/Meritage. Finally ending up at Senior Project Manager at Lender Processing Services by way of Black Knight Financial. Consulting for Everbank was JR’s final professional endeavor before retiring at the age of 69.

Now that JR was fully retired, it allowed him to enjoy his true passions of family, golf, football, and travel. JR loved chasing birdies on every golf course he could book a tee time, sharing old Navy stories, and most of all telling jokes and always nailing the punch line. During football season, you were sure to hear JR hollering “Roll Tide” on Saturday’s watching Alabama and “Move Those Chains” on Sundays during Jaguar games. Spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren was paramount to JR along with adventures and outings together with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider a donation to The Zellner Foundation for Military Vets, Inc in his name. To honor him, we ask that you root for the Alabama Crimson tide, dedicate a round of golf to him, call an old friend just to check-in, watch a John Wayne film, spark up a conversation with a stranger and make their day, sit on the back porch and just enjoy the sounds of nature, and show up for the people in your life with a big smile on your face.

Catholic Mass will be held on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5752 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the Mass at the Family Life Center until 1:30 pm. Services will conclude with burial at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

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