Eldred Lavaughn “Wes” Westberry Jr.

Posted on February 9, 2022

Eldred Lavaughn “Wes” Westberry Jr. died peacefully Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Palatka following

brief illness. He was 79.

Born in Valdosta, Ga., on Sept. 22, 1942, Wes was raised in Lamont.

He attended Jefferson County High School and graduated high school from Georgia Military College in 1960. He attended North Florida Junior College before enlisting in the United States Navy.

A decorated Vietnam veteran, Wes served in the Navy from 1963-67.

He worked in the automotive industry while completing his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education degrees from University of West Florida. He went on to teach and later became a director of vocational education for Escambia County Schools.

In 1993, he transferred to Saint Augustine Vocational Center and served as assistant director. He retired from Putnam County School District, where he taught automotive mechanics at Crescent City Jr Sr. High School.

Wes was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Palatka where he served as a past Vestry member and served on the sanctuary restoration team following Hurricane Irma.

He was a committee member of Boy Scout Troop 236. Wes was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons and was recently appointed as a volunteer member of the Putnam County Historical Preservation Committee.

Wes enjoyed his grandchildren, his grandpuppies, golf, flying planes, boating and corny jokes.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Eldred Westberry Sr. and Hazel Reams Westberry; and his sisters, Suzette Westberry Bundy and Shanna Westberry Clark.

He is survived by: his wife of 26 years, Patricia Williams Westberry; his daughter, Claire Westberry Autrey (Tom) of East Palatka; his step-sons Bradley Curtis Sloan (Bridget) of St. Augustine, Preston Breckenridge Sloan (Kimberly) of St. Augustine and Brandy Foster Sloan (Julie) of Palatka; his grandchildren, Hailey Harbuck, Holley Harbuck, Victoria Milton (John), Colby Ravan (Makayla), Parker Sloan, Austin Ravan, Priscilla Sloan, Bailey Sloan, Preston Sloan, Natalie Sloan, Amelia Sloan, and Cullen Sloan; great-grandchildren Ender Cash, Brantley Ravan, Easton Milton and Leighton Milton; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 200 Main Street, in Palatka.

Live streaming of the funeral service will be available on the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Palatka, FL Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Palatka, Shriners Hospital or any veteran’s charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Wes’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.