John A Renick

April 15, 1941 - January 29, 2022

John A. Renick, born April 15, 1941 experienced his heavenly birthday on Saturday, January 29, 2022. John was the youngest of 6 children. He had 4 sisters (Mary Lou Renick Nickels, Joan Renick Hollister, and Helen Renick Welty Predeceased him; Ruth Renick Sandoval is still living in New Mexico), and one brother, James Renick, who also predeceased John. Linda (Cook) and John were married for 57 years and had 3 sons, John R Renick of Eustis, Florida, Joshua Renick of Plantation, Florida, and Jay Renick of the Tallahassee area. They have 6 grandchildren: Kathleen, Caleb, Elisabeth, Timothy, Holly, and Spencer. John spent most of his youth in Newark, New York, until he left to attend the College of William & Mary in Virginia. He met Linda there. John was instrumental in starting the William & Mary Christian Fellowship, which evolved into an InterVarsity Chapter and became the largest Christian group on campus. John was influential in the lives of many students on campus. After graduation, John got a Masters of Theology degree at Grace Theological Seminary. He then earned a degree in Church History at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. John taught school in Libertyville, Illinois and at North Chicago High School, until he and Linda moved to South Florida to teach at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, where John headed up Social Studies department and taught Bible classes. He was ordained into the Teaching Ministry at Coral Ridge Presbyterian, the parent church of Westminster. In 1988, John and Linda moved to Gainesville for John to pursue a PhD in Political Science at the University of Florida. While there he worked in the college library as a Reference and Collection Manager. (He had also worked in the William and Mary library and had been certified as a librarian in South Florida.) At UF he started the First Amendment Coalition to promote the protection of our first amendment. When he had finished his classes at UF, John worked for a year in a congressional office at the Space Coast. When John took a job in a Christian school in Orlando, he and Linda moved to Grand Island, half-way between their two teaching jobs. John finished his teaching career at Blue Lake Academy in Eustis, a job that he loved. Throughout his life, John taught the Bible and influenced many students and adults to spiritual birth and maturity. He will be greatly missed! Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared on the tribute wall. Saturday February 12, 2022 at 10 AM the family will hold a Celebration of Life at Bethany Lutheran Church in Leesburg, Florida.