THE NEWS LEADER
Amelia Island – Fernandina Beach – Yulee – Nassau County
September 20, 2017



John Joseph Bateman, 37, of Yulee passed away on Monday, September 18, 2017 at his residence.

He was born October 3, 1979 in Bunnell, Fla. the son of Joseph Booe Bateman, Jr., and Minnie Mae Deen.

In 1988, his family moved to Fernandina Beach, where he was a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, Class of 1997. After high school, John attended Florida State Community College, where he earned an associate of science degree in digital media arts and multimedia technology, majoring in video and television production. He began a career in internet technology with AOL at the customer service center in North Jacksonville before joining the technical support team of SIATECH and then running his own business. In 2014, he joined the family business, The Ogburn School, as the director of IT services.

John was incredibly creative, channeling his ingenuity through the creation of new digital music and remixing and remastering old selections. He was an avid animal lover, having rescued and cared for dozens of animals over the years. He enjoyed gardening, drawing, Star Trek and reading. His friends and family use words like generous, smart and fun to describe him – but most of all, he was kind.

He leaves behind his wife, Amber Gum, and daughter, Madelyn Gum, both of Jacksonville; mother, Minnie D. (Charles) Ogburn of Yulee; father, Joseph “Jody” B. (Mickie) Bateman of Satsuma, Fla.; and sister, Brandy Carvalho of Fernandina Beach.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 23, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service Saturday at Oxley-Heard.

He will be laid to rest in Espanola Cemetery in Bunnell, Fla. at 3 p.m.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to Cats Angels, 709 S. Eighth St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 or Sunshine Corgi Rescue, 3900 Valley Lane, Titusville, FL 32780.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors