John “Johnny” Michael Searle, 86, of Belize, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at his second home in Rancho Viejo, surrounded by his loving family. Johnny was born in Hawarden, North Wales on the 27th of April 1937. In 1951, a holiday in British Honduras (Belize) to visit his father became permanent when he fell in love with the country, culture, and people. After graduating from The Belize Technical High School in 1955, he began to work at the Barclays Bank. Not long after, he was recruited by British Honduras Airways, agent of BWIA (British West Indies Airways) where he developed a passion for aviation. This enthusiasm led to the formation of his first company, Belize Global Travel Services in 1961. A second company was formed, Aero Dispatch Services, in 1963. These organizations transformed civil aviation within the country of Belize and to this day continue to service the country’s flourishing tourism market. Throughout his life, his entrepreneurial spirit saw him involved and invested in the insurance, media, real estate, hospitality, agricultural, and banking industries, to name a few. Even though he was a businessman, he was first and foremost, a Belizean patriot. He consistently kept Belize and her people a top priority. He always said that he was born in Wales but forged in Belize. He gave the country and her people 100% credit for his successes. His sense of humor, quick wit, and ability to tell jokes were a few of his strongest characteristics. He was always the life of the party. He was a lifelong Rotarian. He held multiple roles including President, Sergeant of Arms, and Belize’s first Rotary District Governor, covering Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. This led to his participation over the years in many community projects throughout Belize and the rest of the district. Humility is where his true strength was. He always acknowledged how fortunate he was, and he shared those blessings. It would be difficult to find a more generous human being. This was with his personal time, knowledge, and resources. While working for British Honduras Airways, he met his beautiful wife and lifelong partner, Elvira Andreu. They were married in 1961 and had four children. As a family man, he was not only dedicated to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but also his extended family. He lived a full life that included a meeting with Pope John Paul II, dinner with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and he was on a first-name basis with all prime ministers of Belize. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Elvira Andreu Searle; father, Thomas George Searle; mother, Joan Richards; brothers, Peter Searle, and Thomas Gregory Searle; and sister, Antoinette (Tony) Searle. Left to cherish his memory are his children, John Watt Searle and wife Linda (Belize), Michael George Searle and wife Shanima (Belize), Germaine Searle Habet and husband, Dr. Kalim Habet (Rancho Viejo, TX), Dr. Thomas Andrew Searle and wife, Lorraine (St. Augustine, FL.); siblings, David Searle and wife Sue (England), Charles Richards and wife, Linda (England), Elizabeth Perryman and husband Colin (England). In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Kalim A. Habet and wife, Monica; Anthony Brooks, Madison Habet-Barrientos, and husband, Arturo Lopez-Barrientos; Conor Searle, Trevor Searle, Brian Brooks, Benjamin Searle, Callum Searle, Meera Searle, and Thomas Searle; and great-grandchildren, John A. Habet, Gianna Habet, and Adelina Habet-Barrientos. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of John Michael Searle at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Mary Mother of the Church, 1914 Barnard Rd., Brownsville, TX 78520. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John Michael Searle to: Rio Grande Valley Wildlife Rescue, 70 Haynes Ln, Brownsville, TX 78521. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of John “Johnny” Michael Searle at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.