John Eugene Klemme, Jr.

John Eugene Klemme, Jr., of Juno Beach, Florida, passed away at his home on Monday, October 28, 2024 at the age of 75. He was born on July 9, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late John Eugene, Sr., and Ruth Ann “Patricia” (Ellis) Klemme. John earned three degrees from Wayne State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Masters of Arts in English, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.

John devoted his life to secondary education, serving for over 50 years in varying roles in Michigan, New York, and Florida, and touching the lives of thousands of students. In Michigan, he taught Advanced Placement and honors English, and served as English department head and speech and debate coach at Wylie E. Groves High School in Birmingham, before taking the position of Assistant Principal at the newly formed Birmingham Covington School. In 1998, he joined the nationally-renowned Scarsdale High School in New York as Principal, where he served for 11 years.

John completed his career as an original faculty member at the Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches in Florida, where he returned to the classroom, served as interim Head of School for two years, and finished his tenure as English Department Chair and Honors Seminar English teacher. John was instrumental in the creation of the popular Cambridge Scholars Program, an ongoing 10+ year partnership between Oxbridge and Cambridge University, and was the namesake of the annual John Klemme Arts and Literature Award.

John loved the arts and humanities – particularly opera, musical theater, English literature, and renaissance and modern art. Over his life, he was the recipient of multiple fellowships, from the National Endowment for the Humanities to Northwestern University.

John’s other love was his family. He is survived by his son, Josh; daughter-in-law Kristen; foster son, Adam Levi; grandchildren, Alden Klemme, Violet Klemme, Leland Klemme, and Lily Klemme; former partner Adrienne Meyer; and brothers, Ted Klemme and Sam Klemme. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Patricia, and his sister Dawn.

John was a fundamentally kind, generous soul with complex interests and a deep appreciation for human thought and expression. He will be remembered by so many for the guidance and empowerment he gave and his depth of caring for the futures of both his loved ones and his students.

Following cremation, a celebration of John’s life will be held at JupiterFIRST Church, 475 Indian Creek Pkwy, Jupiter, FL, on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Metropolitan Opera Endowment, which provides funding for productions, broadcasting, education, and capital projects – enabling the growth of this institution John loved. Interested parties may donate here: https://gofund.me/6e93fc5e

The Memorial Service will be Live-Streamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/AQFdsXN8veU