John Charles DeYoung's Obituary
John Charles De Young died peacefully on April 8, 2026, surrounded by family. John was born January 5, 1942, in New Jersey to John and Evelyn De Young, the oldest of six children. John always remembered his childhood home in Secaucus as full of love and laughter, despite the fact that there was only one bathroom. He took his role as the oldest child very seriously and would organize boxing matches between his siblings to toughen them up. He spent most of his time exploring the wilds of New Jersey where he would try to trap small animals or look for discarded restaurant silverware at the hog farms.
John was 16 when he met his wife Barbara at a dance at Barbara’s high school. Barbara loved that John could dance and John loved that Barbara had big boobs. They married on May 12, 1962, and spent the next 63 years together, until Barbara’s death on June 24, 2025. During those years they raised three daughters, started an air conditioning dynasty, bought a beach house and, of course, danced. John always valued education, although he was amazed that he graduated high school himself and always felt that he had to overcome his “own stupidity.” But despite that imaginary short-coming, he went to trade school, learned air conditioning mechanics and eventually started his own successful company: Air Masters of Tampa Bay. With John’s natural business acumen, he grew it into one of the most successful air conditioning companies in Tampa. Throughout it all, John always stayed humble and was always interested in what other people had to say.
As a man, John was simply an amazing person. He had a deep respect for women. He taught his daughters how to catch a softball, throw a punch (he never changed) and to succeed in whatever they wanted to do. He believed that as you succeeded, you should turn and offer a hand to help someone behind you. He loved sandwiches (especially meatloaf), Helmann’s mayonnaise, trying new restaurants, deep sea fishing and just hitting the open road looking for an adventure. He could play the accordion, drive a stick shift and shoot a rifle. He was his daughters’ hero. When his wife suffered brain damage from an infection, he took on her full-time care with grace and devotion and without complaint. John continued their life together by tossing Barbara into their van and taking her to baseball games, plays and all sorts of other amusements. John did this for 25 years because Barbara was his partner in crime and he wasn’t going to leave her behind.
This incredible man was preceded in death by his parents, John and Evelyn De Young, his brother, George De Young, and his wife of 63 years, Barbara.
He is survived by his siblings: Richard De Young, Eileen Barychno, Gregory (Pat) De Young, and Evelyn (Mark) D’Angelo and his daughters: Lorraine (Brian) De Young Brady, Jennifer (Gary) DeYoung Raulerson, and Beverly (Rick) Bosley. He was the doting grandfather to 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
He loved spending time with family and will be greatly missed.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 3 – 5 pm at the chapel at Sunset Memory Gardens, 11005 US-301, Thonotosassa, Florida 33592 with funeral services held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 10:00 am at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Metropolitan Ministries. And we invite you to go to your favorite watering hole, pour a Jim Beam and Coke for John and share your favorite stories of your time with him. He would like that.
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