John Perron Wetherbee, III

John Perron Wetherbee III went home to be with the Lord on July 28, 2026. He was 58 years old – a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend.

Despite an early diagnosis of mental retardation, John lived a full and happy life. He grew up in Camden, Alabama surrounded by a large loving family. His Christian faith was nurtured in first the Camden Baptist Church and later the First Presbyterian Church of Camden where he was baptized. As a little boy, John loved hunting with his granddaddy “Nandy” and Cousin Hunter where he earned his nickname “Catfish John”. John’s childhood days were spent riding his one-eyed Shetland pony, Brownie; fishing in the Yarbrough’s pond; hiking through the woods with his labradors Kate and Pepper; boating with the Malones on the Alabama River, and Sunday’s at Nandy’s Farm swimming in Pine Barren Creek with cousins and friends. John attended Wilcox Academy with his buddies Tim, Frank, Dena and Lance. Their favorite subject was Coach Parker’s PE class although John never quite got over Coach Parker kicking Tim out of PE.

When John was 21, the family moved to Huntsville where he participated in the Opportunity Center and worked at McDonalds unloading trucks for a Big Mac meal and $5. During that time, John went from being the only boy in the family to one of four. “LSU Man” (John Miller), then “Auburn Man” (Jim Jenkins) and then “Ole Miss Man” (Ward Pate) joined the family as his brothers-in-law, and with them came perks like throwing out the opening pitch at an LSU baseball game, Miami Dolphin football tickets, and club seats at the Birmingham Barrons games, not to mention good-hearted ribbing during college football season.

John spent the past 12 years of his life in Birmingham to be close to family. He attended United Ability’s LincPoint Adult Day program and lived in a group home where he was lovingly cared for by “Miss” Sirron.

John is preceded in death by his parents John Perron and Eugenia Webb Wetherbee; his paternal grandparents John Perron and Charlie Dial Wetherbee; his maternal grandparents John Powell and Lila Northington Webb and his brother-in-law John Miller. He is survived by his sisters Lynne Jenkins (Jim), Graham Miller (John, deceased), Madalyn Pate (Ward); nine nieces and nephews Sydney Jenkins, Mary Madalyn St Pierre (Ryan), Clyde Miller (Chloe), Sam Jenkins (Mercy), Abbey Jenkins, Maggie Miller, Lily, Stella and Piper Pate, and great-niece Reagan.

Wherever John lived, he was loved and embraced by all and for that his family will be eternally grateful. We will miss him greatly and are so thankful God chose our family to love and raise His Special Child. … “And soon they will know the privilege given in caring for their gift from Heaven. Their precious charge so meek and mild is Heaven’s very special child.”

Please join John’s family in celebrating his life on Sunday, August 9 at the First Presbyterian Church of Camden at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Camden, Camp ASCCA, or the charity of your choice.