John Russell Westberry

Posted on January 26, 2022

John Russell Westberry passed on from his earthly home on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022.

He was 78 years old.

John was born to Richard M. Westberry and Annie Lou Russell on Aug. 3, 1943, in Taylor County.

He graduated from Taylor County High School in 1962. After high school, he attended community college.

John worked various jobs throughout his life, including as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), pipe fitter, welder and heavy equipment operator. He was a very talented man and succeeded in all his endeavors.

He lived most of his life in Tallahassee, and then, in retirement, bought land in Grady County and lived out the rest of his life.

John had a great love for the outdoors. That is where you could find him most of the time – from hunting and fishing, to working on his (and others) land.

He always enjoyed taking his grandchildren hunting and took great joy in all of their accomplishments. He was also an excellent marksman and shooter. His little buddy to the end was his dog, Gator.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Westberry and Annie Russell.

He is survived by: his brother, Richard (Laraine) Westberry of Gainesville; his four children, Shanon (Lisa) Westberry of Perry; Melissa (Warren) Whittaker of Tallahassee; Christy (Ric) Keahey of Birmingham, Ala.; and JP (Nick) McCary of Brooklyn, N.Y.

John was blessed with six grandchildren: JT (Adreanna) Westberry of Cabot, Ark.; Shane Westberry of Perry; Trey Whittaker of Tallahassee; Ansley Whittaker of Tallahassee; Taylor (Kaley) Corbitt of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Luke Yarmac-McCary of Brooklyn, N.Y.

He was also blessed with one great-granddaughter, Savanna Westberry of Rockledge, Fla.

Visitation will be held at the Perry chapel of Beggs Funeral Home, 201 W.  Main Street, on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 2-4 p.m.  Friends and family are encouraged to come share stories and memories of John.

The family is requesting in lieu of flowers, to please make donations in John’s memory to the following charities: Tall Timbers, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL  32312, www.talltimbers.org; or the First Hunt Foundation, 2965 Hwy 162, Kamiah, ID 83536, Firsthuntfoundation.org.

Allen Richard Zeigler

Celebration of life services for Allen Richard Zeigler will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, at First Presbyterian Church in Perry, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Giving flowers that can be taken after the service to your local loved ones or donations to First Baptist Presbyterian Church of Perry are suggested.