John Frank Varino, beloved husband and father, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Santa Rosa, Florida, at the age of 82. He was born on September 8, 1943, in Monroe, Louisiana, the son of the late Caroline and John T. Varino.

John was always a standout person. He was the Salutatorian of his high school class and the 6’4” star center for the 1960 St. Matthew’s basketball team, where he helped lead the team to its first and only state championship. He often said it was just like the movie Hoosiers.

He went on to play college basketball for Northeast Louisiana University before transferring to Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where he obtained his degree in Industrial Engineering. Upon graduation, John married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Cecilia Reeder.

While on their honeymoon, he received his military draft notice. Rather than being drafted into the United States Army, John applied and was accepted to the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated and received his commission in August 1966 as an Ensign in the United States Navy. In 1968, he was sent to the Vietnam Mekong Delta as the Officer in Charge of Construction for his base at the young age of 24. After six months, he was made attaché to the Admiral until his honorable discharge. While in the Navy, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant and received the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Once reunited with his wife and two young daughters, John went on to obtain his MBA at Louisiana State University. John built a distinguished career spanning more than three decades as an industrial engineer and respected corporate leader. A brilliant problem-solver by training, he brought a rare blend of analytical precision and genuine compassion to the workplace. Throughout his impressive career, he applied his expertise at major industrial and manufacturing powerhouses, including Georgia-Pacific and Procter & Gamble, before finishing his career and retiring from FedEx in Memphis, TN.

While his technical training and operational achievements were many, his true legacy lies in how he treated people. He was deeply admired by his teams, known for his fairness, integrity, and steady leadership. He earned the enduring loyalty and respect of those he led because he always chose to lead with decency and a listening ear.

After retirement, John and Celie moved to Seacrest Beach, Florida. John loved his Seacrest Beach neighborhood and deeply loved all his friends, neighbors, and tourists he met. He was very active in his community and served as the President of the Seacrest Beach Homeowners Association for two years.

A man of deep faith, John loved the Lord and was a faithful parishioner of St. Rita’s Catholic Church for over 21 years. He was an active member who participated in the Men’s Club and Bible studies, and he always enjoyed working the St. Rita’s Fish Fry. He cherished attending Sunday Mass and sharing coffee and doughnuts or going to lunch with friends afterward.

He was a man who never met a stranger and was a friend and helper to everyone. John was an amazing man known for his love of his wife, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was extremely athletic, swimming and walking 10k steps daily until the day he died. He was someone his family and large extended Varino family leaned on heavily. He can never be replaced.

In addition to his parents, John and Caroline, he was preceded in death by his brother Frank Raymond Varino. He is survived by his devoted wife Cecilia Reeder Varino, his three loving children, Catherine Gates (Stephen) of Dallas, TX; Caroline Molinard (Tim) of Raleigh, NC; Matthew Varino (Meredith) of Jackson, TN. He is also survived by his youngest brother Tom Varino (Cheryl) of Covington, Ga.

John leaves behind seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren he deeply loved. Isabelle Ray (Bradley); Elizabeth Banowsky (Benton), Caroline Gates (Pat), Matt Gates, Lilly Kate Varino, Abby Varino, and Sophie Varino. Great-grandchildren, Gracelyn Ray and Luke Ray.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of John Varino will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11:30 AM at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, with full military honors and burial following at Historic Gulf Cemetery with military honors by the United States Navy. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 10:45 AM at the church, 22 St. Rita Lane, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Following the burial, the family will return to St. Rita’s to host friends and family for refreshments and celebration.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/  and the Open Door Women's Clinic at https://donateodwc.com/ .

The family would like to offer special thank you for the heartfelt outpouring of love from the 30 A Community to Cecilia and the family during this difficult time.