John Wood Wengel, age 81, died August 12, 2024 after 25+ years with Parkinson's disease. He was born on June 15, 1943, in Birmingham, AL, to Wilbur Smith Wengel and Mary Asenith Wood Wengel. From the day he was born John loved life. Always giving and sharing, he loved people and people loved him. Graduating from Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, AL, John received his Bachelor of Science degree from Stamford University in 1965. John joined the United States Coast Guard after graduating and served in the reserves for 6 years. John meet Bill Tant, owner of Southern Skin Diver Supply, at the age of 16, where he learned to skin dive that developed into a 50+ year friendship. They would travel together with Bill's diving students on scuba diving excursions to the Caribbean, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Spanish Honduras, Yucatán, and many other locations. Bill and his wife Eloise, were guiding mother and father figures for John until their passing. John moved from Birmingham to Key Largo in 1972 where he lived on a house boat for several years. While in Key Largo John worked construction building condominiums, ran a lobster boat and did a lot of scuba diving looking for tropical fish to sell and old sunken treasures. In 1983 John bought a 54 acre farm in Oxford, Florida and began a horse racing and horse breeding career. In 1986 John moved to Panama City living in the St. Andrews area until his death.

A special thanks to the Truett family, Laura, Tyler, Katie, TJ, and Jeanie for being loving friends and care givers who showed unwavering support with John's care in the final years of his life. In keeping with John's wishes, he will be cremated with no visitation or service, encouraging all to remember him where he crossed your path.