John Franklin Gaddis, Jr. of Red Bank, NJ passed away February 2, 2022 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He was born on April 27, 1951 at Monmouth Medical Center to Melody and John Sr. (Jack) Gaddis. John was 70 years old.
Affectionately known as "Johnny" or "Johnny G," he was educated in the Red Bank Public School system from elementary school through high school. Johnny went on to Brookdale Community College, and then to Jersey City State College, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Art. Sometime after graduating, Johnny was appointed Director of the Parks and Recreation program for Red Bank; a title which he held for 28 years, and was notably the first Black person to ever hold this position. During that time, Johnny was responsible for coordinating Red Bank's major local events, including the annual July 3rd KaBoom fireworks, food festivals at Marine Park, Halloween parades, Easter egg hunts, jazz in the park and a multitude of other activities.
Most of the community knew Johnny from his love of sports. Johnny coached countless children in various sports over the years, and many people of all ages credit Johnny for their love of sports to this day. He was well known for being a tough but caring coach.
Johnny was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, the Red Bank Men's Club and the Elks/Bates Lodge #220 of Red Bank. After he left Parks and Recreation, Johnny remained busy working at AC Moore, and later Marshall's, both in Shrewsbury. Johnny G had a love for the arts, including music. He could be heard playing the saxophone in his leisure time for many years, and also enjoyed singing. He eventually joined the Men's choir at Calvary Baptist Church where you would know he was singing a solo if he had his Ray Ban sunglasses on. Johnny was also enlisted by the church to teach art classes to the members, which he truly enjoyed. He was also known for making his signature red, black, and white signs with calligraphy and block lettering for events held by family and friends.
Johnny was predeceased by his father, John F. Gaddis, Sr. (known as Jack) and his youngest brother, Frederick Gregory Gaddis.
He leaves to mourn his passing his mother, Melody Gaddis of Red Bank; his daughter, Sandra Kim Gaddis Pena and her husband Radhames Pena of Leonia, NJ; two sisters, Inez Nedrick, Red Bank and Sandra Jackson (James), Flourtown, PA; two grandchildren, Gabriel Sebastian Pena, and Natalia Sophia Pena; two nephews, Robert Hills, Jr., (Sayscha) Shrewsbury, NJ, and Akin Inaj Gaddis, Philadelphia, PA; three nieces, Keisha Gaddis, Red Bank, NJ; Chanel Hills, Ocean Gate, NJ; and Erica Nedrick, Brick, NJ; three great-nephews, Isaiah, Manuel, and Chase; and his beloved great niece, Diamond, as well as a host of cousins, aunts, uncles and dear friends.
RIP John. I got to know John while playing baseball together, with his brother Fred, in the summer Jersey Shore League. We used to do road trips to play teams in other states, and I always made it a point to ride in John’s car because the music and food was great, and the camaraderie even better. He was absolutely a true gentleman and a great friend.