Johnny T. Patronis, 96, of Panama City Beach passed away peacefully in his sleep with his devoted wife by his side.
Johnny was born on May 8, 1928 in Quincy, FL to Theo Patronis and Evangelia Petrandis Patronis. He was conceived on the Island of Patmos, Greece in the Aegean Sea and carried over in his mother’s belly to become a United States citizen.
Johnny graduated from Leon High School, Tallahassee, FL. After graduating from high school he had no desire to go to college. However, Johnny managed to obtain his pilots license. He liked to smile and say it was good for life.
Johnny was a well respected leader in the community. People sought his council and he freely gave it.
Johnny was raised in the F & T restaurant (Five cent hot dogs and Ten cent hamburgers) that his father and uncle owned and operated in Tallahassee, FL just off Monroe Street, down from the capitol building. It was there at the F & T where Johnny would gain the skills and vision that would set his path to become the successful business man he became.
Johnny along with his uncle, George Gouras opened the first Seven Seas Restaurant located off Monroe Street with the seed money provided by his father, Theo Patronis. Johnny was particularly proud of this restaurant because of the modern décor and it was the first restaurant with air conditioning in the area.
John Christo influenced his uncle George Gouras into relocating the Seven Seas to Panama City. Reluctantly Johnny left Tallahassee for Panama City, which ended up being one of the best decisions he made.
When his younger brother Jimmy got out of the service he bought out his uncle George and joined Johnny as partner in Seven Seas. Many things changed in the Seven Seas partnership. That’s when the opportunity showed up in the location for his pride and joy, Captain Anderson’s came along and the rest is history.
Johnny joined the Chamber of Commerce, being the conservationist he is, he was proud to say that between him and Deck Hull they were responsible for getting the 100 foot building set back on Econfina creek passed. While serving with the Chamber he was in charge advertising and at that time the only advertising was newspaper and magazines so Johnny with his keen business skills introduced the first TV advertising.
Johnny and Jimmy Lark started the Panama City News Bureau, they hired Jim Sumpter from New York (he had just finished with the World Fair) with all their collected efforts it resulted in putting Panama City Beach on the map.
Johnny had many accomplishments during his vibrant life. He was part owner of a bank, served on the bank and hospital boards, started the first radio station in Panama City, opened a pool hall, put in Muzak, bought and sold real estate with numerous partners, Johnny and Jay Trumbull started a water bottling business, donated land for the elementary school, in addition to funding the gymnasium in honor of Opal Messer Patronis. He helped with the culinary school at Gulf Coast, was a founding father for the St. John Theologian Greek Orthodox Church here in Panama City, a true conservationist and visionary.
His real legacy is his love, no judgement, continuously giving to others and he was always willing to lend a helping hand. He will always be known for his irresistible kind, loving, charming, joyful personality.
He was a blessed man and we were all blessed to have known and been loved by him. Heaven is now rejoicing with him there.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Theo & Evangelia Patronis; his first wife, Opal Messer Patronis and her two sons, Mitch and Larry Salares; brother, Jimmy Patronis and brother-in-law, Mike Skaroulis
He is survived by his wife, Joanie Patronis; sister, Chrisoula Skaroulis; sister-in-law, Helen Patronis; daughter-in-law, Janice Salares; two grandsons, Calvin Florian and Eric Salares. Johnny is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, great grand nieces and nephews, along with many, many in-laws and their children, God children and cousins. He loved each and everyone along with his community.
The family will receive friends at St. John Theologian Greek Orthodox Church (136 W. Baldwin, Panama City) on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 5-7 pm. with a short, Trisagion service to be held at 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 at St. John Theologian Greek Orthodox Church at 11 am with Father Allan Boyd officiating. Church space is limited. There will be a climate controlled tent set up on the west side of the church to accommodate the overflow. For those who are unable to attend in person, both Thursday’s Trisagion service and Friday’s Funeral service will be live-streamed and archived on the parish Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069281131623).
A Makaria (Meal of Blessing) will be held Friday from 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, 1645 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. A sunset internment service will be held at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday in the Oakland Cemetery in Tallahassee, Florida.
Pallbearers: Tradd McDanials, Jay Trumbull Sr., George Roberts, Greg Abrams, Alan Byrd, Angelo Petrandis, Jimmy Petrandis, Theo Patronis.
