John Frank Gerdon passed away on March 18, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was
a resident of Gainesville, Florida since 1995.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Salter (Aaron Sikora), daughter, Melissa
Hoglund, son, A.J. Gerdon and his grandchildren, Cooper and Harper Hoglund. He is
also survived by his sister, Sylvia A. Barr along with cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased in death by his son, John H. Gerdon, his father and mother, John I.
and Kathleen Gerdon, and sister, Susan King.

John was born in 1946 in Dayton, Kentucky. He attended school in Cincinnati until his
family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in the 1960's where he attended Boca Ciega
High School.
John played basketball in high school and at Saint Petersburg College, and he was a
walk-on at Ole' Miss University. After breaking his hand, he transferred to the University
of Florida where he joined Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and coached intramural
basketball.
After marrying Dixie A. Hurm in 1969, John became a high school history teacher and
basketball coach at Admiral Farragut Academy, where he coached the 1971 team to the
only undefeated season in AFA history.

In 1971, he and his pregnant bride moved to Orlando to work for a new little company
called Walt Disney World. While working in Public Relations he was an Ambassador to
various celebrities such as Cary Grant, and he and his wife designed the entrance and
concept for Fort Wilderness Resort.

John went on to raise four children and, as an entrepreneur, began many successful
companies along the way.
John was an avid sports fan of the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Celtics, the Florida
Gators and was a 50 year season ticket holder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In
addition to being proud of his Irish heritage, John enjoyed silly jokes, music, trivia and
board games with family.

On Saturday, April 1, 2023 the family will receive guests beginning at 9:00 a.m. and
service will begin at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to SunCoast Hospice in honor of John.