Local resident John Broome succumbs
John L. Broome, 85 of Lauderhill passed away on Monday, June 30, 2014 after a short illness. John grew up in Alachua County, Florida where he graduated from Alachua County Training School in 1948. He attended Bethune Cookman University (BC-U) where he was drafted into the Army. Within two years he was released and he returned to Bethune Cookman University where he sang in the chorus and was Cookman’s first Marching Band Drum Major. He graduated in 1956 and came to Broward County to teach.
Broome began his 40 year teaching chorus in August of 1956. He taught at Braitwaite, Larkdale and Lauderdale Manors Elementary Schools and served as a Graphic Specialist with the Federally Funded Title 1 Reading Center. John also served as president of the Broward County Reading Association and as Chaplain of the Association of Classroom Teachers.
He became a member of Second Presbyterian Church in 1964 where he was a featured baritone soloist for many years. He was a member of the Nova Singers and performed with them in Europe, Carnegie Hall in New York City and the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Mr. Broome were always willing to sing for local, state and national programs where he was often asked to sing Negro Spirituals. In his professional musical career he recorded three CD’s of Broadway and Negro Spiritual songs.
Visitation will be Friday, July11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home, Fort Lauderdale. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 12 at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, 401 S.E. 15 Ave.
