John M. Counts III "Sonny," of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., passed away Nov. 1, 2004, at ECM Hospital after an extended illness. At the time of his death, Mr. Counts was on medical leave from Sharper Image Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was manager of a Sharper Image store at Galleria Mall, Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale."Sonny," as his family called him, attended the first nursery school at Kilby Training School. His elementary school was Harlan and later, Forest Hill School. He attended Tennessee Military Institute for two years and graduated from Bradshaw High School, class of 1971. He also attended Florence State College and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Florence. In 1975, he opened his own business, "Sonny's Tuxedo Rentals," on Florence Boulevard, which he operated and managed until 1984. He then moved back to Fort Lauderdale, where he resided for the next 25 years. After moving to Fort Lauderdale, he worked in several tuxedo rental shops and also as a salesman at Cartier Jewelry Store. Six years ago, he started as a salesman for Sharper Image and worked his way up to manager of one of the most exclusive Shaper Image stores in Florida.Sonny's special interest and passion through all his years was automobiles. It started at age four, when at that young age, he could identify any automobile coming down the street, make, model, year, etc. This continued right up to the present.In his lifetime, he owned more than several kinds of automobiles, his favorite being the Corvette. He liked nothing more than to read about all the current automobile models coming out today.Mr. Counts is survived by his parents, John M. Counts Jr. and wife, Patricia; two sisters, Pamela Smith and husband, Randy, of Tulsa, Okla., and Laurie Hughey and husband, David, of Toney, Ala.; two nieces, Alisha Smith and Sarah Hughey; grandfather, Jerry Landrum; and grandmother, Blanche Counts. Sonny leaves many special friends in Fort Lauderdale, plus his sales staff at the Sharper Image store he managed and his wonderful bosses, Steve and Craig.To honor Sonny's wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. At his request, his body was cremated.His greatest wish was to get well and go back to Florida. Sometime in the near future, his cremains will be taken back to Fort Lauderdale, where they will be taken out to sea off the beach and scattered in the ocean that he loved so much.A blessed thank you to Tri-County Home Health Care, especially Billy Mock and Irethey Pride. We couldn't have made it without your kindness and compassion.Loving thanks to Sonny's sister, Pam, for her loving help and devotion to him during his illness. Thank you to Katie Duster who prepared all of Sonny's favorite meals, to Sandra Finamore-Albably, R.N., our special Aetna nurse who drove here from Atlanta to personally meet Sonny. She called every week for many months to check on him, and more than once, she went beyond the call of duty to help us. Her kindness will never be forgotten.Thank you to Dr. Mike Mitchell who gave him special care and attention. Thank you to Dr. Hemant Patel and staff of Northwest Alabama Cancer Center and to the nurses on fifth-floor West, ECM Hospital.Sonny was the firstborn child and only son of John and Patricia and the first grandchild on both sides of the family. He will always hold a special place in all our hearts, now and forever. Life won't be the same without him.When Sonny reaches that "special place" called Heaven, he will be reunited with his late grandmother, Kathryn Landrum, his Mimi; his late grandfather, J.M. Counts Sr.; and his beloved dog of 12 years, "Chelsa," who preceded him in death last September 2003. We can only imagine their joyous reunion. Memorials may be made to the local Cancer Society, 104 S. Poplar St., Florence, AL 35630, or local animal shelter.Greenview Funeral Home, of Florence, is in charge of arrangements.