Obituary
John B. Naylor, age 76, passed away November 28th, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Gail Naylor, Fort Myers, daughter Faye (Michael) Vincent, Fort Myers; brother Jim (Michele) Naylor, Morgan Hill, CA., stepson Brett Abramson, Fort Myers and former spouse Christina Naylor, Fort Myers.
Preceded in death by parents, John C. Naylor, Jr. Boynton Beach, FL and Jean Buchta Naylor, Hillsborough, CA.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, John grew up in Webster Groves, MO. After attending John Burroughs School, he graduated from Northwestern University (class of ‘67).
John also served in the United States Army Reserve from 1963 – 1967.
John began his hospitality career at Madden Resorts in Brainerd, Minnesota during summer breaks in high school and college before joining them on a full-time basis. He held various management positions ending with Vice-President, General Manager of Madden Lodge.
John moved to Callaway Gardens Resort in Pine Mountain, GA as Director of Operations and held various management positions ending with Assistant General Manager.
After Callaway Gardens, John moved to Avon Park, FL where he started the Hospitality Management Program at South Florida Community College and managed the Jacaranda Hotel while also becoming Vice-President of the Highlands County Lodging Association.
Next stop, Southwest Florida, where he was Assistant General Manager at the Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island. From there he moved to the Pink Shell Resort on Fort Myers Beach, FL as General Manager. Through various management and ownership changes he rose to Vice-President of Owner Services.
John started his Hospitality Management consulting business where he helped various clients with Condo – Hotel transitions and operational items.
He was active in various civic and community affairs including Chairman of The Board of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lee County Hotel and Resort Association and later Board member of the Lee County Chapter of the Florida Hotel and Lodging Association. He was a longtime member of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a founding member of the Lee County Sports Organizing Committee. He was on the Advisory Committee for the Florida Gulf Coast University School of Resort and Hospitality Management.
John was awarded the Junonian Award by the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau for his dedication to the local Hospitality and Tourism industries.
He was named Executive Director of Classic Basketball, Inc that puts on the City of Palms Classic Basketball Tournament, the number one high school basketball tournament in the Country. John’s efforts promoting the tournament created more national awareness.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the John Naylor Memorial Fund at the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation. The memorial fund will support the School of Resort and Hospitality Management within the Lutgert College of Business. Please make checks payable to the FGCU Foundation. Mail your check to the FGCU Foundation,10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. You may also donate online at fgcu.edu/donate. Please note the John Naylor Memorial Fund in the memo line. For questions or assistance, please call 239-745-4343.
Family and friends may leave condolence message or sign the guest register by visiting www.baldwincremation.com.
Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society is honored to serve the Naylor family during this difficult time.
Reservationist and trainer old reservationists at South Seas Vacation Planning Call Center. John was always available for any questions we had concerning “his” Pink Shell property.
My sincere condolences for MaryGail and her family