John George Steele

1926 - 2017

John George Steele was born on August 18, 1926 to Reverend J.J. and Mrs. Marrea Steele in Charlotte, North Carolina. He moved to Pensacola, FL after the early loss of his mother and father. He enrolled in Booker T. Washington High School and later joined the United States Marine Corp. He was stationed in the segregated United States Marine Training Center at Montfort Point, Camp Lejune, North Carolina. In 2012, he and fellow Daytona Beach native, Sgt. Major James Huger were among the Black Marines awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, some sixty-five years after faithfully serving their country in spite of the racial indignities they experienced. In 1949, he enrolled in Florida A&M College (FAMC). He was elected as class president, played football under the legendary Alonzo "Jake" Gaither and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Physical Education. While at FAMC, he met and later married Dr. Rebecca Walker, who was the College Choir Director. He became Assistant Food Director at FAMC. In 1975, he and his wife re-located to Daytona Beach where Dr. Rebecca Steele became Concert Choir Director at Bethune-Cookman College. Mr. Steele became well known for his culinary skills on the B-CC campus and in the local community. The proud Congressional Medal of Honor recipient was recently honored by Delta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha for his lifetime of service to the fraternity and community. He leaves to mourn his passing, a wife of 62 years, Dr. Rebecca Walker Steele, son; John David Steele and granddaughter; Jh'niya, two sisters, Millie Steele Benjamin (Elmore) of Pensacola and Norma Foster of Simi Valley, CA, nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends. The public is invited to a viewing and wake on Thursday, January 5, 2017 between the hours of 5p.m. and 8p.m. at the Allen Chapel AME Church, 580 George Engram Blvd, Daytona Beach, Florida. The Homegoing Services will also be held at Allen Chapel AME on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 11a.m. He will be laid to rest at the U.S. Military Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of the services.