John K. Harlan, 67, of Gainesville, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2022, after a short stay at Haven Hospice following treatment for cancer.
John was born at Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville on November 21, 1954, to Bill and Madge Harlan. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1972 and from Santa Fe Community College in 1984 after four years’ service in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and an honorable discharge in 1982. He attained the rank of Sergeant E–5 and earned the Navy Achievement Medal among other decorations.
John was a national-level bicycle road racer in his younger years, including cycling in Europe based in Ghent, Belgium, in 1976. He was known as a local legend as a road racer, winning the State road championship in 1976, and as a bicycle mechanic, beginning in high school and continuing until his illness in 2021. He was a longtime member of the Gainesville Cycling Club.
John was preceded in death by his grandmothers Estelle Harlan and Naomi Overstreet, and by his parents William E. and Madge O. Harlan. He is survived by his loving wife Catherine S. “Kati” Harlan of Orange Lake and his devoted son Samuel M. Harlan of Gainesville, and by his older brother William E. Harlan, Jr. and family of Micanopy.
A memorial gathering will be held at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23d Avenue, Gainesville, FL, at 12:00 noon on Friday, October 7, 2022, with burial following at Forest Meadows Cemetery East on Hawthorne Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gainesville Cycling Club.
Condolences may be left in John‘s on–line guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com after his obituary.
Arrangements under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23d Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609, 352–378-2528.
Katie,
Our deep sympathy for your loss of John recently.
I would have come to the memorial except we will be in Ohio.
I am fondly thinking of you and am concerned for you. I had to smile when I read John was born at AGH.
So many wonderful people started there. And we were able to thrive in the AGH environment. We were blessed.
Be comforted with your memories and the many photographs you, no doubt, took of John. Love you
Katie,
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
Much love dear friend.
Kati,
I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. My deepest sympathies to you and Sam. You are a dear friend and I’ll always remember you. After all, we shared 911 together. You are a shining light to so many people who love you. Be at peace and know you will see John again. Take care.
Dear Kati,
I cannot imagine the depth of grief you are feeling at the loss of your husband. My heart and thoughts are with you and your family.
Kati
I’m so sorry for your loss.love and prayers that you will have only the very good memories of your life together overtake the difficult ones
Kati, My heart goes out to you, Sam, and your entire family. Holding you in my prayers.
I absolutely loved riding with and talking with John. When everyone wanted to talk cycling, John wanted to talk about history, a book he had just read, or local area politics. I recall he would look at me, tilt his head, and often say “huh”…. and then respond. He listened and thought about things.
I did not realize he was sick. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I am traveling this week but will be thinking of you and your family. Big hug to you.
Sam
Dear Katie – my condolences on losing John. He was a good friend and will be greatly missed.
My best wishes