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John Cecil Kersey

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University of Mississippi

John Kersey Obituary

JOHN CECIL
KERSEY, 78
Polk Co. School Board

LAKELAND - John Cecil Kersey, 78 of Lakeland, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center due to heart failure.
He was born October 7, 1929 in Cordele, GA to Sidney P. and Flossie Mae (Johnson) Kersey and moved to Lakeland in 1947 from Arcadia. John is a Korean War Air Force veteran and a member of the 1st United Methodist Church, Lakeland and served as its Building Committee Chairman and Youth Division Superintendent. He graduated from Florida Southern College and the University of Mississippi and was an educator for most of his working career having touched thousands of lives with his positions within the Polk County School System. His teaching career began at Southwest Elementary School in 1956 and continued at Southwest Junior High School as a science teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principle and finally as its principal from 1967 to 1984. John ended his career as Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance & Facilities from 1984 to 1993. He came out of retirement to serve briefly as Interim Superintendent of the Polk County Public Schools in 1995. He was a member of numerous professional educator associations and was also involved civically as a board member with the YMCA, Girls Club of Lakeland, Jaycees, Program to Aid Drug Abusers. He was also a member and past president of Citrus Center Kiwanis Club and the Polk County Scholarship and Loan Fund. John also was active as Community Liaison for the Florida Baptist Children's Home and was a board member and building committee member for both the Citrus Regional Blood Center/Blood Net and the SPCA.
John is survived by his wife, Claudia; sons, Charles Marion Kersey of Lakeland and Bill and his wife, Nicole Kersey of Lakeside, CA; sisters, Georgia Sowells and Marie Cagnina both of Tampa and a grandson, Thomas James McAllister of Lakeside, CA.
Friends will be received from 1-2pm on Monday at the 1st United Methodist Church where funeral services will be held that day at 2pm. Interment will take place in Oak Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Florida Baptist Children's Home or to SPCA. Gentry-Morrison Funeral Homes, Dukes-Steen Chapel, Lakeland is in charge of arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Ledger on Mar. 30, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Kersey

37 Entries

Kathy Hollingsworth

May 13, 2024

Was thinking of Mr Kersey today and missing him. He was a wonderful family friend. He and my Mom were in the Children´s Home together. We had many family dinners together. We called him Uncle Buddy Kersey.
I also remember he was the Principal at Southwest Jr High School. Such a kind and funny man! Lots of great memories.
He is always missed.

Sue Jamison Malmad

September 18, 2020

Best teacher I ever had! Those were the days at Southwest Jr. High School!!

Sue Jamison Malmad

August 12, 2008

The Family of Mr. Kersey: Even though several months hence, please accept my heartfelt condolences. I only just learned in the FL Southern magazine. Mr. Kersey was my 7th grade science teacher at SWJH in 1960. What an inspiration! We were all "cowgirls" and "cowboys". He is one of the teacher's I have never forgotten...what a great man....I am so sorry to learn of his passing. Heaven has a wonderful angel!

Sue Jamison Malmad (St. Petersburg, FL)

Frances Clark

April 15, 2008

My deepest sympathy to all the family and friends of John Kersey. I will always remember him from my days at Southwest Junior High, but what really amazed me is that he always remembered me even after over 30 years if I saw him in the grocery store, post office, theater, etc., he would call me by my first name. He was a person I admired and respected. I am honored to have known him. May he rest in peace.

Scott May

April 13, 2008

Dear Kersey Family:

I have just learn of "Mr. Kersey's" passing. My deepest condolences to the family. I attended SWJH during 1973-75 and found a man in the Principals office that was a rare mix of authority and encouragement. There was never any doubt that he loved the kids he was responsible for like no one else. During my High School years I helped John with the horses he had pastured down below Mulberry, I learned a great deal during that time about tractors, fences, horses and old white Ford trucks. I bought a small MONTGOMERY WARDS travel trailer from John in 1978 or 79. I still have some of the sheets and camping supplies/accessories that came with it. I had the pleasure of seeing and sitting with John along with Ralph Paulsen at the funeral of Ron Puckett in 2006. Surely our loss is heaven's gain, but we will still miss him terribly.

lisa Ringdahl-Koiner

April 12, 2008

I also went to swjh many years ago. All though the years my sister and I would run into Mr Kersey and like many others he remembered us well. He was a very kindhearted and warm person. I know he will be missed by all

Nadine Woodard

April 10, 2008

Kersey Family,

I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful husband and father. He was one of the kindest persons I have ever known. I was his secretary for 7 years and I wouldn't trade those years for anything. He contributed so much to the person I am today. He will always have a place in my heart. Again, please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

Gail Lipinski Giliberti

April 9, 2008

Claudia, Charlie, and Bill...

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of John. He was such an amazingly positive man who clearly brought joy to so many from our community. I have so many vivid and warm memories of him that will remain in my heart always.

He made such a difference in so many lives.

...and he will be so missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all....

Connie Upshaw

April 4, 2008

To the Kersey family,

I want to express my deepest sympathy to you all. "Mr. Kersey', as I called him, as a student at Southwest Junior High, in 1966-67, was such a great example to live by. He welcomed me, as a transfer student, who knew no one, and even let me do the morning announcements! He helped me make friends and fit in at a new school, something I will never forget.

To this day, he knew my name and asked about me, as he was a great friend of my father, all of these past years in Lakeland, even though I had finished college, married and moved away long ago.

Such a true gentleman and fine person...and one this world shall surely miss!

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincerely,
Connie Stein Upshaw

Gloria Peters

April 2, 2008

Dear Claudia and family:
Please accept our condolences in the loss of John. He was a wonderful and very caring person. He never forgot a name and always took time to ask about how we were and how our children were. In our last conversation just 2 weeks ago, he told me to be sure and tell them how proud he was of them and what they had accomplished. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Sincerely,
Bill and Gloria Peters

Florence (Flo) Aldridge

April 2, 2008

My sympathy to the John Kersey family. We lived across from the Junior High School on Eden Parkway, Lakeland, Fl., and would sometimes hear John's voice over the intercom at the opening of the day. He and Claudia were friends of our family. Love and prayers, Florence Aldridge (Flo)

ML Underwood

April 2, 2008

He was a special human being and the world is a better place because he passed through it. Like many others I was a student that he remembered after 25 years.

Susan Micklon

April 2, 2008

Dear Mrs. Kersey and Family,
Your husband John was a true gentleman and scholar. He was a great neighbor and friend as well a wonderful principal at SWJH where I attended in the 70's. It was always a pleasure to talk with him as I passed by your house over the years to visit my parents (Bill and Gloria). My husband Mike enjoyed fishing with him and both he and my son Michael express their sympathy as well.
You are in are prayers and we will always think kindly of Mr. Kersey.
Regards,
Susan Micklon

Lura Martin

April 1, 2008

Dear Claudia, Charles and Bill,

Michael, Mallory and I were so sad to learn of John’s death and want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Polk County has lost one of the most gifted educators I have ever known. John’s ability to inspire his students to excel, his humor and his kindness will be remembered by the thousands of youngsters whose lives he touched.

Celia Hicks

April 1, 2008

Mr. Kersey was my 7th grade science teacher at SWJH in 1958. Over the years, he always asked about me when he would see my parents, and remembered details about my time at the school. Would that all teachers worked as hard and cared as much as he. He will be greatly missed by many. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Craig Kowald

March 31, 2008

Dear Kersey family,

My deepest sympathy on your loss. Mr Kersey was my principal at Southwest Jr High 73-76. I will always remember his admonishment at the beginning of each day to 'survive.' He survived many travails himself and inspired us to achieve great things and be good citizens.

Kenny Haworth

March 31, 2008

To the Kersey Family:
My deepest regards and prays. Mr. Kersey never forgot me. All five of the Haworth's siblings were touched by him, as we all attended SWJH. Everytime he saw me he would ask "Are you still ridin' them motorcycles?" Needless to say he never forgot calling my dad to tell him I was riding it on the back wheel doing wheelies across the school field. He was such a wonderful down to earth person. I will never forget him, he was always there when he was needed and he NEVER forgot why he was there. And that was to serve as a great leader that set the stage for a path to success for those that were fortunate to know him. God bless you.

Libby Wayne

March 31, 2008

Dearest Kersey Family,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathies in the loss of Mr. Kersey. He was such an inspiration to me while at SWJHS in the early 70s - he truly took me under his wing and made sure I stayed the course! I became a teacher, myself, and have been in the "business" for 25+ years.

Who knew two of my favorite educators would meet and marry 30 years ago! Thank you, Mrs. Kersey, for allowing me to sing at your wedding!

I will always remember the smile I would receive every day that I saw Mr. K; what a wonderful man -

Godspeed and love,
Libby Mason Wayne

Amy (Cunningham) Holloway

March 31, 2008

Through the sadness of this news, I am smiling thinking about Mr. Kersey...that he always called me by name even 25 years after being at SWJH, that he always had something complimentary or encouraging to say, that his drawl and vocal cadence were unmistakable, that he signed off from the announcements every morning with, "Have a good day...and survive!" He was one of a kind, and I will cherish these memories.

Equilla Hicks Holdridge

March 31, 2008

I was in the first group of students to attend SWJH and Mr. Kersey was my home room teacher and science teacher. He knew which one of us was from Medulla Elementary and always took a special interest in us because we were so easy to pick out. He made me feel more comfortable in my skin by always having something good to say to me even if I had not done an assignment right or had a hard time with a test. He was a very gentle person when he needed to be but he could also be very stern when needed. Everyone just loved him. I know his close friends and family will miss him. Y'all will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Arnold Signer

March 31, 2008

John was my seventh grade science teacher in 1957, my mentor through college and medical school, and my friend for 50 years. It was rare for me to visit my parents in Lakeland and not pick up the phone and call him. Quite often, we would have lunch together or with our wives. I will miss him as I would miss a big brother.

Laura Moore

March 31, 2008

Mr. Kersey had a tremendous effect on everyone he came in contact with. I dearly love him and will miss the opportunities to see him out and about when I came back to Lakeland on visits. He kept up with me long after Southwest Jr. High on to my career at Coca-Cola.

His wife Claudia was our dear Mrs. Dawson, who taught us physical education at Cleveland Court Elementary. We were thrilled that you and Mr. Kersey got together after Mrs. Kersey's death for a very special 30 years of marriage.

I was still in Lakeland when the first Mrs. Kersey died and we took food to the house. My mother is gone now, so I have no one to send you food, so I can only send you my deepest condolences. I will savor my memories of a truly great man.

Gail Stout

March 31, 2008

Dear Kersey Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I, too, was a student at SW Jr. High in the mid 1960s and worked as an office assistant. I think Mr. Kersey and I called each other "cuz" (short for cousin) because he came from the same part of Georgia as some of my father's family. We certainly shared a pronounced southern drawl which I have not been able to lose to this day!
I hope I made Mr. Kersey proud when we were reaquainted in the 1990s when I served on a "SACS" committee that he chaired. By then, I was a supervisor for Pasco county schools so the love of teaching also became something we shared. I think my status with the committee was elevated when Mr. Kersey greeted me so warmly because he was so very much admired and respected throughout the Southeastern US for his work with that accrediting group.

The world is a better place because of John C. Kersey!

Sincerely,
Gail Thomas Stout

suzanne (Potter) Brady

March 31, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr Kersey was a wonderful educator and person. He remembered each and every child who passed thru his halls and its obvious that he left an impression on all of us.

Ana Compain-Romero

March 31, 2008

What an extraordinary man. I wish I could be more unique in my sentiments, but it seems that compassion, kindness and humility are the indelible marks that Mr. Kersey left on so many of us.

I went to SWJH in the early 80s and in no time he knew my name...at first I thought it was because I was one of the few Hispanics, or because my name was unusual and he had fun mispronouncing it. But I see now from the other posts that Mr. Kersey simply loved all his students and wanted nothing more than to help each of them feel important.

To quote my friend and former SWJH student, Laura Cook "Mr. Kersey had that rare balance of authoritative firmness coupled with Southern warmth."

Karen Collins

March 31, 2008

Mr. Kersey will be greatly missed by our community. He was such a pleasure to work with and really cared about our kids and schools.

John and Cheryl Scott

March 31, 2008

My Husband and I were students at
SouthWest Jr. High, from 1971 to 1973. We were so sadden to hear the passing of Mr. Kersey. He was a
wonderful man. He always remembered his students. Always remember the good memories and it will help you thru this time of sorrow.
John W. Scott and Cheryl Hardie Scott

Lynn (EHLIS) Northrup

March 30, 2008

I remember Mr. Kersey when he was Asst. VP at SW Elementary and then moved on to be Principal of SW Jr. High. He was amazing and cared so much for his students. He listened, he helped, he was always there for us. Seeing him again at the SWJH Reunion was wonderful.

John Eagan

March 30, 2008

To me he was always "Buddy." We were raised together in the Florida Bapist Children's Home in Arcadia, and I always looked on his like an older brother (he was 6 years older than me). What a memorable character he was!

Carol witcher

March 30, 2008

To John's family, John was the leader on our mission trip to Barbados. He was an inspiring leader, fun person, loving and kind Christian. What a wonderful experience to have served on a church mission with him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Susie Earl Bieda

March 30, 2008

Dear Kersey Family,

I was so sad to hear of Mr. Kersey's death. I attended SW Jr. High in 1974-75 and had the pleasure of being a student and office assistant while he was the Principal.
He was always quick with a smile and made the Office Girls feel like we had very important jobs!

My Mom ran into him recently and commented to me that he still remembered me and she told me he was still the Southern gentleman that I remembered.

My love and prayers are with you,

Daniel Walker

March 30, 2008

One of my very favorite teachers. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to teach.
(Southwest 1957-1960)

Annie-Laurie Brennan Wynn

March 30, 2008

To the Family of Mr. Kersey,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies toward your loss. Mr. Kersey was an incredible man and was loved by so many. He will be deeply missed.

I had the pleasure of being a student at Southwest Jr. when he was my principal. I even worked in the office during 9th grade. Mr. Kersey made every student feel special. He instilled school pride and had the ability to encourage all of his students to strive to be their best.

Over the years I have seen Mr. Kersey several times at community events or just out in town. He always remembered my name and seemed genuinely interested in how I was doing. A person of that caliber comes one in a million.

As Mr. Kersey looked out for us in life, I have to believe he is watching out for us now as well.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Annie-Laurie

Marilyn Signer

March 30, 2008

The Lakeland community has lost a treasure with the passing of John. May your memories of him be a blessing.

Carol Cook Alford

March 30, 2008

I had Mr. Kersey for science in the 8th grade, 1962. He encouraged me to have confidence in my ability in science. Over the years I have always remembered him as one of my favorite and most inspiring teachers. My sympathy to his family.

Carol Allred

March 30, 2008

I will never forget Mr. Kersey. He was "Mr. Southwest Jr., High School." My thoughts and prayers to his family.
SWJH Student, Carol "Bennett" Allred
early 1960's.

Melissa Van Rossum

March 30, 2008

Dear Claudia & Bill,
Please accept my deepest sympathies for the loss of your husband an father. I have such fond memories of him as the principal of my jr. high school at SW. I was always amazed how he remembered me so immediately throughout the years. I believe he remembered all of his students that way.
May your memories of your husband and father bring you comfort and peace.
With love & sympathy,
Melissa (Haggard) Van Rossum

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