Jerome Hester Johns, III

Jerome (Jerry) Hester Johns III, (79) of Sanford, FL passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025 due to complications from ALS.

Mr. Johns is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary E. Johns, (Sanford, FL), his only child and daughter, Jennifer L. Evans and her husband Russell (Lake Mary, FL) and his 4 cherished grandchildren, Brady, Shaun, Lana and Laney Evans and extended family members. He is proceeded in death by Jerome Hester Johns Jr. (Father), Jeanette Wood Johns (Mother), James M. Johns (Brother) and Judy M Wolek (Sister).

Jerome (Jerry) Hester Johns III was born on April 10, 1945, in Sandersville, Georgia. Mr. Johns along with his Father, Jerome Hester Johns Jr. and Mother, Jeanette Wood Johns moved to Apopka, Florida when Mr. Johns was nine months old. At the age of five, the family moved to the College Park area of Orlando, Florida.

During the 13 years that he lived in his college park home, he intended Killarney Elementary School, Robert E. Lee Junior High, and Edgewater High School. Mr. Johns was very active in scouting having been a Boy Scout, Explorer Scout and earning his Eagle Scout with Post 224, in Orlando, FL during his youth.

Mr. Johns graduated from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL and Rollins College, Winter Park, FL. Following his graduation from FAU he went into the U.S. Army, serving one year in the Republic of Vietnam. His final year of the army was at the Armed Forces Entrance and Examining Station in Coral Gables, FL.

Mr. Johns entered into the banking profession in 1970 after his military obligation and worked 40 years as a Senior Lender with Savings and Loan Associations and National Banks in Metro Orlando. Mr. Johns was the Founding Director, President and CEO of Community National Bank of the South in Lake Mary, FL until his retirement.

Following his retirement from banking, Mr. Johns worked three summers and one winter in seasonal jobs, twice in Alaska, once in Yellowstone National Park and one winter season in Vail, Colorado. " He always stated, that the best way to see an area was to live and work in the area".

Mr. Johns loved flying, boating, fishing, exploring, and traveling. Mr. Johns was a world traveler, having visited every state in the United States of America, Europe, Russia, Asia, Canada, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Australia, and New Zealand. Mr. Johns loved to travel to experience new sites, culture, and people.

Most of all, Mr. Johns loved his family, his wife. His daughter was his greatest accomplishment, and his greatest legacy will always be his four grandchildren.

A Celebration of Jerry's Life will be held on Monday, April 28, 2025, 11am at Crossings Community Church, 514 Walden View Drive, Sanford, FL. 32771.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ALS Association in Honor of Jerry H Johns III. (ALS Association website)