John Weatherington Suber, of Quincy, Fla., died early Thursday morning, December 27, 2024. Born April 12, 1938, in Quincy, Florida, he was the son of the late Stephen Morris Suber and Hazel Virginia Watson, “Sister Baby”.
John grew up in Quincy with the exception of three teenage years in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Quincy High School. John attended college at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, and graduated August 25, 1961. He earned a degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Upon graduation, John returned to Quincy and worked with his father-in-law, W.E. Middleton. After a brief stint in the Coca-Cola business, he and his brother Harvey joined their father at the Suber Cattle Company in 1962.
Stephen Morris Suber died suddenly on December 15, 1965. At this time, John and Harvey took over the business. John led the Financial and Administrative part of the business and Harvey, his brother and business partner for the past 62 years, was the Farm and Operations Leader. The cattle and row crop business became very difficult in the 1970s; astronomical interest rates and commodity prices cratered.
So, John pivoted the business to tomato farming. They created S.K. Enterprises and partnered with Jeff Garguilo from Naples and pioneered growing tomatoes in Gadsden County. From there the business has grown to where it is today, including not only tomatoes but also cattle, citrus, corn, peanuts, soybeans, sod, and watermelons. The tomato business also created a new partnership with John’s lifetime friends Graves Williams and Billy Don Grant and the formation of Quincy Tomato Company and Gadsden Tomato Company. John was an excellent business leader, a visionary, a farmer, and a student of agriculture. His work ethic, commitment, leadership and resolve never wavered through the good and the bad times. He had a tough exterior but a very kind heart.
John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great friend to all who knew him. He will be dearly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and “Sister Baby” Suber, his wife Mary M. Suber, and his sister Manguerite Suber Lindsey.
Surviving are his sons Jack Suber and wife Elayne of Tampa, Will Suber of Quincy, Morris Suber of Havana, and four grandchildren, Jackson and Mac Suber, and Harlyn and Hitson Suber. John is also survived by his brothers, Harvey Suber and Stephen Suber.
John was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Quincy. He was a faithful disciple of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jack, Will, and Morris were all baptized in the church by the late Reverand Ralph McCaskill. The family regularly attended church and Sunday School and Mary taught Sunday School for many years. The church was located a half block from John and Mary’s residence, which was built by the late J.L. Davidson in 1914. The colossal oak tree in the front yard is over 200 years old. It is rumored that Native American Children played under the oak tree in the early 1800’s.
John was an avid wing shooter, and a fan of the Citadel Bulldogs and the Florida Gators. He enjoyed spending time at his “Bay House” in Apalachicola. Some favorites were the Gibson Inn, the Owl Café, and Indian Pass Raw Bar. He cherished the time he spent with family in Apalachicola. He and Mary became locals on the Forgotten Coast.
His grandchildren called him “G Daddy.” He loved them so much and they made him so proud.
The Family would like to thank Amanda Qualls for her care, devotion, and service to John over the past year.
A graveside service will be held January 3, 2025, at 11:00 am at Hillcrest Cemetery, Quincy, Florida. A Celebration of Life will be hosted by the family at The Golf Club of Quincy, immediately after the graveside service.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home, Quincy, FL., is in charge of arrangements.