Class of 1965
Edmond D. Stagg, 62, of Grandview, Texas, formerly of Jacksonville Beach died suddenly on Saturday, October 31, 2009. He was preceded in death by his father Jesse and his brother Tommy.
He is survived by his wife Wanda, his mother Libby, a daughter Amber Stagg, a son Marshall (Amanda) Stagg, two stepsons, John and Jesse Cole, two sisters, Valorie (Jim) Barker and Vicki (Ron) Baum, four grandchildren Talyn, John, John and James. Sister in law Gail (Alan) Windser and a brother in law John Worthington. Several Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews,.cousins and friends.
Edmond graduated from Fletcher High School in 1965, and joined the Air Force. After retiring from the service, he completed Nursing School and began his nursing career at Shands Jacksonville. He later moved with his wife Wanda to Grandview where they both were nurses at local hospitals. He worked with Hospice for two and a half years before returning to the ER.
Services will be held in Cleburne, Texas on Thursday, November 5th, services will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Edmond was loved very much and will be missed by all that knew him.
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Class of 1958
Bill Leaptrott
LEAPTROTT Retired Lt. Colonel William M. Leaptrott, 68 grew up in Jacksonville Beach Florida and graduated from Clemson University in 1964, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, served two tours in Vietnam and continued his military service until his retirement in 2001. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver star (3), and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with bronze star. Colonel Leaptrott was a member of White Oak Presbyterian Church in Newnan, GA. Colonel Leaptrott is survived by his mother, Mary B. Leaptrott; his brother, Joe (Robin) Leaptrott: his wife, Susan H. Leaptrott: children, Tracy (Bob) Langille, Laura Leaptrott, Beth Leaptrott, William (Tina) Leaptrott, Jr., T.J. Leaptrott, and granddaughter, Shannon Langille. He was loved and will be missed dearly. Funeral services will be officiated at Ocean Park Baptist Church, Jacksonville Beach, FL on November 2, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Colonel Leaptrott to the church of your choice or the Wounded Warriors. Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS BEACHES CHAPEL. (904) 249-2374 Please Sign the Guestbook @
Jacksonville.com________________________
Class of 1963
James Martin Read, 65, passed away unexpectedly, at home, on Oct. 15, 2009. A 50+-year beach resident and a former Fletcher ‘63 graduate, Jim, or Marty as he was known by many, was born June 20, 1943, in New Smyrna Beach, FL. The son of the late J. Gordon Read of Jacksonville Beach and the late Betty Roat Read, who died in his childhood, Jim is survived by his mother, Marion M. Read, of the beaches.
Survived, also, by his adored wife Fran, Jim loved his family, friends, fishing with his wife, bowling, poker, and living his life to the fullest. Growing up in the Isle of Palms, Jim spent much of his time on the water, skiing and fishing. He was an avid Gator fan. In addition, Jim is survived by son, Jason R. Read; brothers, Bobby (Donna) Read and Rick (Roxane) Read; a sister, Karen (Don) Wolfson; sister-in-law, Zora Coleman; 10 dearly loved nephews and nieces, 6 grandnieces, and other family.
A man with a caring and engaging personality, Jim served in the 3rd Div., US Army, followed by work as a club bartender, Boston, MA; a commercial fisherman, Edisto Island, SC; an installer, Winn Dixie; and then in purchasing , Mayo Clinic.
A member of VFW Post 3270 and American Legion Post 129, Jim’s memorial service will be held Sat., Oct. 24, 2 PM, at Legion Post 129, 1151 4th St. S., Jax. Bch.
A gift in memory of Jim may be sent to Wolfson Children’s Hospital to help light a candle for a hospitalized child, 841 Prudential Dr., Ste 1300, Jax, Fl 32207.
Class of 1944
Neva Matthews Randolph, 82, of Jacksonville, Beach, Florida passed away on Saturday, October 10th, 2009.
She was born Neva Mae Matthews on Jan. 8th, 1927 in Trenton, Florida. She moved with her family as a teenager to Jacksonville Beach in 1941. At that time, Jacksonville beach was a booming regional tourist area. Her parents opened the first restaurant on 1st Street under the rollercoaster, it was called Matthews Lunch. Neva thoroughly enjoyed the beach social life. She was successful in local modeling, beauty pageants and had a passion for interior design as well. She aspired to go to NYC to further her career in these areas, but plans changed when her father suddenly died. She graduated from Fletcher High School in 1944. In, 1949 she married Harry Joseph Bennett and they had two sons, Bradley Deane Bennett and Barclay (Clay) Dale Bennett. She is survived by both sons and six grandchildren. She also leaves behind her beloved cats and her love of gardening. She was a “Master Gardener” of the Garden Club of Jacksonville, Inc.
She will be cremated with a private family ceremony. Instead of flowers, please make any contributions in her honor to the Jacksonville Humane Society.
Class of 1953
Douglas Matthew Bartle, 74, passed away at Ashford Court Assisted Living Community in Jacksonville Beach on Saturday, October 17, 2009 after a long illness.
He is survived by his 2 sons Donald Bartle (Dee) and Henry Bartle (Donna) and 4 grandchildren; Mathew, Heather, Megan and Steven.
Douglas was born in Jacksonville, son of Joseph H. Bartle and Sadie E. Weeks. Shortly after graduating from Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach, he joined the U.S. Air Force (1954 - 1980). During his 26 years of service in the U.S.A.F. he traveled the world extensively and served in the Vietnam War. While stationed in Scotland he met and married Ethel Mary Walls. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, he returned home to Jacksonville Beach. Douglas was a devoted husband and father. He was a good and righteous man who will be missed by his family and friends.
from the Beaches Leader
Class of 1960
Betty Boyd Holloway Sapp
Betty Sapp, 67, of Scottsboro [AL], passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at her home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 3, at 2 p.m. from Scottsboro Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roger Hobbs and Bro. Gene Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Center Point Cemetery.
Mrs. Sapp is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Tina Sapp of Langston and Bobby Sapp of Langston; grandchildren, Colton and Amber Sapp of Section; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Sapp; son, Tommy Sapp; and parents, Elizabeth Fleming and Boyd Holloway.
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Class of 1954
COENEN Joe Marshall Coenen, 73, of Morganton, GA, formerly of Jacksonville Beach, FL, passed away Monday, October 5, 2009. He was born in Montgomery, AL, on August 3, 1936. Coenen graduated from Fletcher High School of Jacksonville Beach, FL in 1954 where he later worked as a Cable Repairman for Bell South for 42 years. Surviving are wife, Paula Coenen of Morganton, GA., daughter and son-in- law, Amy and Chad Hood of Gainesville, FL, daughter, Nancy Coenen of Jacksonville, FL, daughter, Carol Spaulding of Bushnell, FL, son, Brian Milstead of Jacksonville, FL, 4 grandchildren; Carter Milstead, Kody Milstead, Alex Hood and Ella Hood and a number of special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Amy Coenen, brother, Gene Coenen. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Jacksonville, FL. Family has requested in lieu of flowers contributions be made In Memory of Joe Coenen to the Humane Society or the American Lung Association. Arrangements were entrusted to the Henry Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Family and Friends may send their condolences and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com____________________________________
Class of 1945?
DRAGE, THOMAS BROCHMANN
Thomas Brochmann Drage died peacefully at his home, Oct 2. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Reaves Drage, children, Tom Drage, Jr., John Drage, Susan Waggoner, & Jan Pence, Brother Jack, Sister Peggy Stewart, 8 grand children & former wife Juanita Dukes. Born in Jax, on Aug 1, 1927, he was a LT JG in the US Maritime Service. He formed United Electric Company in Jax, expanding to 5 FL cities. He was a builder, president of the FL Assoc. of Elec. Contractors, & owned Child Achievement Ctrs in CA. Services will be Oct 7, at First Baptist of Orlando, on John Young pkwy. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Comforter, Altamonte. Spgs."
"Tom Drage grew up in Jacksonville and attended Duncan U. Fletcher High School. His father, a Norwegian immigrant and sea captain, died after he fell off a ship when Drage was 9. The family struggled financially until his mother remarried.
At 17, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Maritime Service, where he stayed for three years before moving on to his own business."
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Class of 1948

SUTTON Bobbie MacDonell Sutton passed away in her home on October 6th after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, John 'Wimpy' Sutton, her 3 daughters Candy Ross (David), Karen Foresta, and Kathleen Rosskopf (Erik); her grandchildren Shannon Maura, Kathryn Ross and Adam Ross, Jeffrey Gavin and Lisa Foresta, Nicole Kanoy and Ashley Dedekind, and 7 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Ann Reilly, E. J. Taylor (Rob) and Janet MacDonell. She was a devoted mother and wife. Bobbie survived multiple battles with cancer over a period of 50 years and she used her experiences to minister to others. She attributed her strength to her enduring faith in the Lord. She enjoyed several years on the 700 Club counseling line, where she continued to pray for and to encourage others in their faith. Along with being an accomplished artist, Bobbie's favorite love of all was spending as much time as she could on the right arm of her life-long dance partner-her Wimpy. After all, her greatest pleasure and testament was her love and devotion to her family. Bobbie was the co-founder of the Sandy Crafters. She was also a member of the St. Andrews Society and Jacksonville Beach Historical Society. She and Wimpy were selected as National Living Legends of Dance and were the first inductees into the National Boppers Hall of Fame. Bobbie was a constant source of encouragement to everyone around her and was known for her clever wit and positive attitude. We will miss her dearly. Friends are invited to visit the family at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Boulevard, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 10th. On Sunday, October 11th, funeral services will be conducted at First Christian Church of the Beaches, 2125 Oceanfront, Neptune Beach, at 2 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Warren Smith Cemetery. Charitable donations to honor Bobbie, and to help with the medical care of Bobbie's great granddaughter, Kelsey Kanoy, who has Chiari I, can be sent to Grace Community Church, P. O. Box 1369, Rincon, GA 31326. Please Sign the Guestbook @
Jacksonville.com _______________________________________
Class of 1951
Mary Imogene Barkoskie Caines
Mary Imogene Barkoskie Caines
, 76, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, September 28, 2009. She was a native of Palm Valley, FL, and the daughter of the late Eston Barkoskie, Sr. and Lois Henson Barkoskie Neeley, pioneers of Palm Valley. She was a member of the original Palm Valley Baptist Church.
A loving wife, mother, "Grandma", and friend, she will be deeply missed. She is predeceased by her husband, William J. Caines, Jr. and her brother, Eston Barkoskie, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Eston Caines; her daughters, Rhonda Parker (Bob), Rhetha Mickler (Raymond), and Lecia Sewell (Dustin); sister, Grahl Neitz (Jerald); grandchildren, Mandy Lee, Michelle Cooke, Raymond Mickler, Sabrina Durst, Robert Parker, Joshua Sewell, Ashley Sewell and Caleb Sewell; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 30th in Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 1st in Beaches Memorial Park Cemetery of Atlantic Beach.
Please visit our online Tribute at
www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the care and direction of Quinn-Shalz, A Family Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 3600 3rd St. S., Jacksonville Beach, 904-249-1100.
Class of 1939
Sara Lee DAVIS Taylor
Sara Lee Taylor passed away August 27 in Alameda, CA. after a 13 year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born in Blackshear, GA. on September 19, 1921 to parents Crawley and Fannie Kate Davis. They moved to Jacksonville when she was 5 and then to Neptune Beach as a teenager. She graduated from Fletcher High School in 1939. Sara Lee attended St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1943. For the last 33 years of her career she was the beloved office nurse of Dr. E.E. Leitner, retiring in 1987. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Robert C. Taylor; sons Robert C. Taylor, Jr. and Lawrence Michael Taylor; brothers C. Wilbur Davis and Lewis E. Davis. She is survived by daughter Kathy Taylor, Oakland, CA.; granddaughter Lauren Atkins, Nashville, TN.; sister-in-law Stella Maud Davis-Owens, Waycross, GA.; nephews Crawley W. (Butch) Davis, Jr, Jacksonville, and Stanley Davis, Tifton, GA.; nieces Jane Layne, Cummings, GA., and Beverly Platt, Evergreen, AL.
A memorial service will be held on October 3rd at 2 PM in the Beach United Methodist Chapel at 325 N. 7th Ave. Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 2131 Mango Place Jacksonville, FL. 32216.
NB. She told her daughter that she was the first student to register at Fletcher when it opened. She was also on the committee that decided colors, football team name, etc.
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Class of 1960
Steve Yockey
Stephen Wesley Yockey, 68, passed away suddenly, September 19, 2009. He was born March 5, 1941 in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Raymond and Helen Yockey. Steve and his family made their home at the beaches for over 45 years. He retired from Southern Bell after more than 30 years of service. He especially cherished the times he spent with his beautiful granddaughter, Meagan.
A loving husband, father, “Papa”, and friend, he was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by those who survive him. He is survived by his son, Stephen Ashley Yockey; daughter, Stephanie Elizabeth (Stephen) Ando; granddaughter, Meagan Marie Ando; sisters, Ginny (Jim) Byrd and Susan Ashworth; brother-in-law, Larry (Beth) Knight; sister-in-law, Marsha (Bill) Collier; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Steve was predeceased in 2007 by his loving wife of 45 years, Lynda and in 2008 by his brother Ray.
Funeral Services will be held today at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 23, 2009 in Neptune Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Tom Bary officiating. Interment will follow in Beaches Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 5851 St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, Fl 32207.
Please visit our online Tribute at
www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz, A Family Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 3600 3rd St. S., Jacksonville Beach, 904-249-1100.
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Class of 1960 Judith Gray White |
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GREENSBORO — Mrs. Judith Gray White, 67, of Greensboro, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. A private family memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 28, in the Chapel of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, officiated by her dear friend the Reverend John Akers. Mrs. White was a native of Ponte Vedra, Fla., the daughter of Ronald Dee Gray Jr. and Francis Ford Gray. She attended Fletcher High School, where she was president of the student body and graduated magna *** laude. She graduated from Queens College in Charlotte, N.C. In Greensboro, Mrs. White joined Yost and Little where some of her most enjoyable years were spent and many lifelong friends were made. She treasured the confidence bestowed upon her by the president, Mr. Eddie Yost. She was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and was devoted to the church and staff. Her most treasured time was staying in her lovely home in Blowing Rock, N.C. She also had fond memories of the numerous trips she took to Europe with her husband and especially being invited to the private quarters of Pope John Paul. She had a special memory of the three-week safari trip to Africa. She was proud of her appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Mrs. White is survived by her husband of 32 years, Clyde Harvley White; daughter, Virginia Page Barth of Alexandria, Va.; son, Gordon Snell of Greensboro; step-children, Jenny Whisnant of Greensboro, Amy Fritsche of Charlotte, and Dotty Clark of Greenville, S.C. She is also survived by brothers, Ronald Gray III and James W. Gray; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 607 N. Greene St., Greensboro, NC 27401. Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home N. Elm St. is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.mem.com |
LANGEN Jim. '58

Jim Langen, Fletcher class of 1958, passed away peacefully on 8/20/09 in San Diego where he lived with his wife Connie (Patten) Langen Fletcher class of 1962. A memorial service will be held in Jax Bch. Notice will be posted at a later date. Jim fought pancreatic cancer valiantly and with grace for the past year."Sept. 13, 1940-Aug. 20, 2009
Longtime Beaches resident James (Jim) Langen passed away in San Diego, CA, after a valiant year long battle with pancreatic cancer. His cheerful smile and positive attitude were an inspiration to many. Jim grew up at the Beaches, attended Bishop Kenny and graduated from Fletcher High School in 1958. He was a member of the KTK Fraternity at Jacksonville University where he received his B.A. He then earned his M.Ed. and Ed.D. from the University of North Florida while teaching at Fletcher Middle School.
He was a member of the American Red Cross Volunteer life Saving Corp. In 1998 Jim moved to San Diego where he taught English and History until he retired in 2003. His dedication to teaching continued with his request to have his body donated to the University of CA Medical School for research. As an enthusiastic runner. Jim participated in numerous races in the Duval County area. He was an avid reader and golfer, a gentle, caring person and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Patten; daughter, Erin Flatch and husband, Jason; son, Sean and wife, Angie, children by marriage, Debbie Callahan and husband, Scott Sepper; Susan Perkins; Jim Perkins and wife, Andrea; sister, Margie DuBois, nieces and their spouses, Sue and Jayson Opgenorth, Nicole and Larry Favre, Jennifer DuBois, and fourteen grandchildren.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Jax Beach on Sat. October 10, 2009, at 2:00.
Donations may be made in Jim’s honor to PANCAN (
www.pancan.org).
DeGROVE Charles W. DeGrove, Jr., 88, passed away August 18, 2009 in Jacksonville. He was born in Palm Valley and was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville and the beaches. In 1938, he was a member of the first graduating class at Fletcher Sr. High School after which he attended the University of Florida before joining the Navy. As a Seabee, he served in WWII. He worked in the Engineering Department, Streets and Highways Division, for the City of Jacksonville before retiring in 1969. Upon his retirement he founded DeGrove Surveyors before again retiring in 1987. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Morocco Temple and the Fernandina Beach Shrine Club. Preceded in death by his sister, Delores Reagor and first wife, Dorothy DeGrove, he is survived by his wife Sheryl DeGrove; son, Chuck DeGrove (Debbie); daughters, Darlene Herrington (Tommy) and Marsha Haskew (Rick); brothers, Leon and Lavern DeGrove; grandchildren, Tommy Herrington, III, Kristina Ettaro, Chad DeGrove, Rick Haskew, Jr. and Paul Haskew; and nine great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5-7 P.M. Thursday, August 20th, at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach (904)249-2374, with a service to follow at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. David Collins officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com
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Class of '49 Neil Joannides. Joannides, Neoclis A., 78, of Lake Park, died Sunday. Palms West Funeral Home and Crematory, Royal Palm Beach. Visitation and funeral Saturday. Published in The Palm Beach Post on 7/28/2009
Class of '50William E. Parker, beloved teacher, artist, father, and husband, died Thursday, August 6, 2009. Born January 1, 1932 in Jacksonville, FL, Parker was an outstanding visual arts educator, having served such institutions as Pratt Institute; Parsons School of Design (both as dean and vice president); the School of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut (1969-94); and the Rhode Island School of Design, where for two decades, he was a visiting artist in graduate photography.
A graduate of the University of Florida, Bill received its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000 in recognition of a rich career in art education. Bill's writings on 19th and 20th century photography have appeared in numerous periodicals, and he has edited many lauded books on the history of photography. He was a lifetime member of the National Society for Photographic Education, having served as chairperson, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Visual Studies Workshop, SUNY Rochester. For 30 years, Parker was an active member of the New York C.G. Jung Foundation for Analytical Psychology and the analytical psychology organizations of New York and Boston. A renowned lecturer, he remains a recognized pioneer in the interpretive analysis of photographic and intermedia imagery from Jungian perspectives.
Parker's personal art combining painting and photography has been represented in numerous national and international group exhibitions and one-person shows. He received two individual artist grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and in addition to private holdings, his work is represented in such collections as the Harn Museum at the University of Florida, RISD Museum of Art, Princeton Art Museum, the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, DeCordova Museum, the J. Paul Getty Museum, San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Florida and Connecticut memorial services will be held SATaurday. SEPT. 26, 12:00PM TO 2:OOPM AT THE BOWMAN'S CHAPEL AT LAKE ALICE ON THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA CAMPUS.
Those wishing to honor Parker privately might make a donation to a charity of their choice or to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Parker is survived by his brother, H. Daniel Jr., his wife Tim Ann, his daughter, Nevil, his son-in-law, Douglas Theriaque, and a number of wonderful nieces and nephews.
A person of enormous energy, generosity, imagination, wit, and life force, Parker enriched the lives of all who knew him. His loss will be long and keenly felt. Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS DOWNTOWN FUNERAL HOME, 404 N. Main Street.
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Stephen Austin Bryant, born on May 29, 1942; passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2009. He hit his table on a table and subsequently suffered a series of strokes. Survived by wife Cheryl Bryant, sons and daughters: Smith Bryant, Kimberly Whyte, William Whyte, Stephannie Brady, Meghann Bryant, Jessica Bryant and grandchildren Jacob and Zachary Bryant, Zachary East, Reiley Moran, Madison and Meadow Brady.
He was born in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. and was a resident of Haywood County for the last 25 years. Restaurant owner, real estate broker and developer, and a Vanderbilt alumni. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed immensely.
Acciording to his brother Russell, the family may hold a memorial service in in Jacksonville Beach.
Please share condolences online at stephen.bryant.muchloved.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the guardianship and care of Madison, 3 y/o and Meadow Brady, 1 y/o to PO Box 294 Waynesville, NC 28786. |
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| PARSONS- Carol Landrum Parsons, 78, passed away July 2, 2009. Quinn-Shalz, A Family Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. |
| Published in the Florida Times-Union on 7/9/2009 |
Cornelius Joseph "Neal" Ganzel Sr.
Neal was born in Quincy, Mass. in March of 1924. He died May 3l, 2009 at his home in Vilano Beach, Fla. Neal's father was a professional baseball player, and his career carried the family from Minneapolis to St. Louis to Selma, Ala., to Sarasota and finally to Atlantic Beach (shortly before the outbreak of WW11).
While attending Fletcher, he helped carry the FHS football squad (as a starting end)to several victories in the 1941-42 season. Following Pearl Harbor, he left Fletcher and enlisted in the US Naval Air Force and was sent to the Pacific in 1944 as a mechanic/gunner. He saw combat as a waist gunner on a PB4Y2 patrol bomber in the Phillipines. After the war's end, he returned to Florida, finished high school and entered Stetson University where he studied engineering while honing his skills on the baseball and football fields. He then transferred to the University of Florida.
Neal married his Atlantic Beach neighbor and pre-war sweetheart Elizabeth Hooker in 1948. Needing to provide for his new and growing family, he left UF and found work in Jacksonville with the Strachan Shipping Company in 1950; he worked there until 1986, eventually becoming terminal superintendent of Strachan's operations at both Commodore's Point and the JAXPORT terminals. On the docks he was known as a profoundly competent problem-solver, and to the longshoremen as a fair-minded and decent stevedoring superintendent.
Elizabeth and Neal built their first home in North (Vilano) Beach on the ocean. In 1985 they relocated to a marsh-front property on Palm Street. Both of these North Beach homes were designed, executed and decorated by he and his wife, and showcased his talents in carpentry and woodworking. He continued to love and use these skills during retirement, and eventually became an accomplished wood-turner, specializing in native Florida woods.
Neal continued fishing well into his final years, and knew well the rivers and creeks of the St. John's and Duval County waterways, and helped impart a love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. A talented gardener and cook, he and Elizabeth were also eager travelers and enjoyed frequent trips to Appalachia, the Florida Keys and elsewhere during their retirement years. In the early 70s, Neal earned his civilian pilot's license, enjoying again a skill he had first learned during the war.
After Elizabeth's death in 2000, Neal continued to live a full, active andindependent life for nine more years.
Neal was predeceased by his brother, Foster Jr. He is survived by his son Neal, Jr. and wife Suzanne of Ormond Beach, daughter Shea Vlcek of Jacksonville, and daughter Cathleen Litvinas of Palmyra, Va., his sisters, Yvonne Martin of Melbourne and Mickey McCormick of St. Augustine, brother Owen of Jacksonville, several nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
Neal will be remembered for his generosity, his honesty and reliability, his depth of feeling, his sense of humor, his craftsmanship, and for the intensity of his presence in the lives of everyone who knew him. |
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Tee Hoye (Ruby Terrel Fincher)
Tee Hoye (Ruby Terrel Fincher), 86, widow of Coach Frank Hoye, recently passed away in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, where she lived with her daughter, Priscilla Magallanes, son, Rocky, and her husband, Cino.
She is also survived by her sons, Chip Hoye, and Chris Hoye and his wife, Cindy, along with her grandchildren Marc, Josh and Christa.
She was a parishioner at St.Paul's Catholic Church and resident of Neptune Beach before moving to Oahu.
She will be missed, especially by all her bridge playing companions both at the Beaches and in Hawaii.
Legge, John B. Class of '53

| John Boal Legge | Born in Akron, OH on Apr.12,1935 Departed on Apr.29,2009 and resided in Seminole,FL. | | | Service: | Saturday,May9,2009 |
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Legge, John Boal 74, of Seminole, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Born in Akron, OH, he moved to Florida at a young age. He graduated from Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, FL and FSU with a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1957. He retired as a Lt. Colonel after 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam and was awarded numerous medals. After retirement he worked for Pinellas Fastner. He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral and was involved with Cursillo. He served as a Senior Warden, Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader. He was preceded in death by mother, Ruth Eleanore Fisher and father, Seward D. Legge. He is survived by wife, Martha G. Legge nee Grant, Seminole, FL; son, John A. (Cindy) Legge, Durham, NC; daughter, Sarah E. (Todd) Ruggieri, St. Petersburg, FL; sister, Roseanne Fulgham, Belleview, FL; and grandchildren, Andrew, Emily and Caitlin Legge all of Durham. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral, 140 - 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 or Florida Resurrection House Inc., 800 - 11th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33705. |
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