Joseph Donald Driver
Joseph "Joe" Donald Driver, age 65, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully early Friday morning, Oct. 29, 1999, in a local hospital.
Mr. Driver was born on Feb. 23, 1934, in Kuttawa, Ky., and was a graduate of Lyon County High School. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1972 after serving in Korea and Vietnam. He also retired from Keltec in Fort Walton Beach, where he was an electronics technician. He was first stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 1955, and returned with his family to the area in 1970 and has been a resident ever since.
Joe was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He will be best remembered for his easy smile, quick sense of humor, gentle way with animals, and his skill, craftsmanship and love of working with wood.
Mr. Driver is survived by his wife, Alma Driver of Fort Walton Beach; son, Joseph Daniel Driver of Live Oak, Fla.; sister, Joyce Deegan and husband Eddy of Adelphi, Md.; cousin, Neal Sexton of Kuttawa.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Paul D. Wolfe and Ashley Pogue officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. until service time on Monday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch, Box 2000, Live Oak, FL 32064; or to Trinity United Methodist Church, 403 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Clyde Owen Lokey
Clyde Owen Lokey, age 76, of Crestview, passed away unexpectedly at home Oct. 29, 1999, surrounded by his family.
Dad was born in Palestine, Texas on Nov. 16, 1922, to Leonard and Nora Lokey, one of six children. Born and raised in Texas, a Texan he remained during his life.
SMS Ret. Lokey served his country in the Air Force from 1941 to 1973. He served in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War with many honors for his service. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he and his wife Melmer settled in the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview area in 1979.
He leaves his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Melmer, of Crestview; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Mark Bean of Crestview; granddaughter Crystal of Crestview; son and daughter-in-law, Les and Wanda Lokey of Albuquerque, N.M.; grandsons Brian and Randy Lokey of Albuquerque, N.M.
Dad never met a stranger. He always had a warm smile and a cheery greeting for those he knew and those he encountered. He may not have remembered a name but he never forgot your face.
But most of all he was a loving husband, caring dad and a soft touch as a grandpa. He will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to the Crestview Library for the purchase of new Westerns of which dad was an avid reader.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home in Crestview at 10 a.m.
James Richard Malone
James Richard Malone, age 79, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Friday, Oct. 29, 1999, in a local hospital.
Mr. Malone was born May 18, 1920, in Russellville, Ala., and moved to this area 33 years ago from Madison, Wis.
He proudly served his country as a master sergeant in the United States Air Force for over 30 years and was a veteran of WWII, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam era.
Mr. Malone was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association, lifetime member of the 11th Bomb Group and the 5th Bomb Group and the Hurlburt Field Chapel. He retired from Vitro and RCA at Eglin Air Force Base.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary "Vi" Malone of Fort Walton Beach; sons, James Malone of Nampa, Idaho, Harold E. Sells of West Palm Beach, Fla., Michael L. Sells of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Robert W. Sells of Gulf Breeze, Fla; cousin, Salina Kern of Jacksonville, Fla.; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Family will receive friends Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at McLaughlin Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted from McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at 10 a.m. with a U.S. Air Force Chaplain officiating. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with the arrangements.
H. Harper Kerr, M.D.
Dr. Harper Kerr of Shalimar, Fla., died Oct. 28, 1999.
He was born on Aug. 7, 1916, and raised in Akron, Iowa. He was the only son the town's country doctor, J.H. Kerr and his school teacher wife, Carolyn.
Like his father, Dr. Kerr's interest was in medicine. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor of science degree and from the University of Nebraska Medical School with a medical degree. He interned with and did his surgical residency at Colorado General Hospital in Denver, Colo., and continued two more years of general and thoracic surgery as a preceptor at the University of Nebraska. His final two residency years in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery were spent at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. He then went into private practice and for 22 years enjoyed living and working in Pueblo, Colo. While there he served as chief of staff and chief of surgery at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital. He served on the Colorado Medical Society's Board of Trustees and on the Board of Directors of its Foundation committee.
After retiring from surgery, Dr. Kerr was appointed chief medical director of Social Security disability for the four state region which encompassed the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. It was after serving in this capacity in Kansas City for eight years that he retired from the medical profession and moved to Shalimar in 1982.
During World War II, Dr. Kerr served his country proudly as a front line physician and surgeon for the 605th Field Artillery Battalion in the 10th mountain division of the U.S. Army, also known as the Ski Troops.
While living in Shalimar, Dr. Kerr was active in many causes. He worked with disabled veterans who were not receiving benefits and for Okaloosa Public Health. He was on the original committee that formed the Elderhostel Senior Center for Lifelong Learning. He was active with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and a Flotilla commander. He served as medical advisor to the Air Commando Association and the McCoskrie Foundation. He gave his services to the poor rural areas in the highlands of Guatemala.
His memberships include the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, of which he was a charter member, the John Alexander Society, the American College of Surgeons, the Military Order of World Wars, the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, the Emerald Coast Lost Chord Club and St. Simons on the Sound Episcopal Church. He was also a 32nd degree mason and a member of the AL KALY Shrine Temple of Pueblo.
He is survived by his wife, Norma, and his daughter, Barbara Montenegro of Panora, Iowa, and his son, Paul, of Kansas City, Missouri.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at St. Simons on the Sound Episcopal Church, Fort Walton Beach.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA. 95402-0446.
In compliance with Dr. Kerr's wishes, his ashes will be scattered at sea.
Gene Neugin
July 7, 1924 - Oct. 29, 1999
Gene Neugin, a longtime resident of Valparaiso, Fla., friend to many and servant to the Lord, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, surrounded by family and friends.
Services will be held at the Valparaiso Assembly of God Church, State Road 190 South, on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. Burial in Sunset Cemetery will follow the church service.
Gene will be remembered for his service to local law enforcement, his dedication to Little League Baseball, his love of children and compassion for those in need. He watched over so many for so long, with genuine concern, and a talent for knowing when to "spare the rod," and protect us from ourselves.
He served his country, his community, and his God, earning the love and respect of those whose lives he touched.
Gene has joined his devoted son Lonnie in a heavenly round of golf, and is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia, his sister, Julia Boyd of Tahlequah, Okla., daughter, Lori and son-in-law Danny Nichols, son Neal and daughter-in-law Lee Ann Neugin, daughter Gwen and son-in-law Steve Cover of Woodbine, Maryland, grandsons Michael Smith, John Smith, Christopher Neugin, granddaughters, Rebecca Godwin, Julie Smith, Aimee Smith and great-granddaughters Erika and Heather Neugin.
"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for though art with me."
Vaudie Dewrell Rudd
Mrs. Vaudie Dewrell Rudd, 88, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away early Sunday morning, Oct. 31, 1999, in a local nursing home.
Mrs. Rudd was born April 29, 1911, in Florala, Ala., to the late George and Mittie Dewrell.
She moved to Shalimar 28 years ago from Andalusia, Ala., and was a member of Shalimar Baptist Church.
Mrs. Rudd is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Humphrey M. Rudd; brother, LoeD Dewrell; and sister, Ruth Nelson.
She is survived by her daughter, Betty Holmes and husband Jesse "Jack" of Shalimar; two grandsons, Mike Holmes and wife Lynda, and Greg Holmes and wife Cindy, all of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; three great-grandchildren, Bryan, Crystal and Scarlett, all of Fort Walton Beach; brother, George L. Dewrell and wife Mildred of Shalimar; two sisters, Ruby DeFranco and husband Roland, and Boncile Ritter, all of Florala; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Rudd will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at 11 a.m. in the Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Reese officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Shalimar Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Mrs. Vaudie D. Rudd.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road NE, Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 is in charge of the arrangements.
Mabel D. Jones
Mabel D. Jones, age 93, died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 31, 1999, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Mrs. Jones was born on Sept. 2, 1906, in Terrell County, Ga., to Clifford and Leah Arnold Durr. She married Frank Lamar Jones, also a Terrell County native, on Sept. 26, 1928. After spending 35 years in Tampa, Fla., the couple returned to Dawson, Ga., where Mr. Jones died in 1970. Mrs. Jones moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1993 and was a resident at Sun Pointe/Westwood Senior Living Community.
Mabel was adored by all who knew her for her positive attitude, her sparkling wit, her passion for bridge and all card games, her spirit of competitiveness and her always fashionable and impeccable appearance. She loved people and she loved life. She enjoyed both with unsurpassed joy. Mabel will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her only child, Nancy Jones Turner, and her husband Walt of Niceville, Fla.; sisters, Wilma Mathews and Gladys Hart of Americus, Ga., and Rae Haley of Meadowview, Va.; brother, Luther Durr and his wife Jewell of Dawson; seven nieces and nephews; and her dear friends at SunPointe/Westwood, who made the last six years of her life so enjoyable and fulfilling.
Funeral services will be conducted at Harvey Funeral Home in Dawson on Wednesday, Nov. 3, with burial in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Dawson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dawson United Methodist Church, 306 Stonewall St. N.E., Dawson, GA 31742.
Joyce Carole Hamm
Joyce Carole Guy Hamm, age 51, passed away Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999, following a brief illness.
She was born on Nov. 18, 1947, in Alabaster, Ala., and was a 1966 graduate of Thompson High School in Alabaster. She lived in Destin, Fla., since 1989.
She was preceded in death by her father, John Thomas Guy of Alabaster. She is survived by Sam Hamm, her husband of 32 years, of Destin; daughter, Victoria Hamm of Gainesville, Fla.; son, Sam Hamm Jr. of Buffalo, N.Y.; mother, Christine Guy of Alabaster; sisters, Pat Dennis and Sue Gay of Alabaster; best friend, Peggy Tillery of Jemison, Ala.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joy was a devoted and loving wife and mother and took her greatest happiness and pride from the love and closeness of her family. She was a longtime advocate of The Gorilla Foundation and various other animal and wildlife protection organizations.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The Gorilla Foundation, Box 620530, Woodside, CA 94062-0530, which may also be contacted at www.koko.org.
In lieu of a memorial service, family and friends were invited to visit her Destin home on Sunday, Oct. 31, to share remembrances with all who knew and loved her.
Charles Clayviellie
Charles "Clay" Clayviellie, age 66, of Niceville, Fla., died Saturday evening, Oct. 30, 1999, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital.
He was retired from civil service work at Site C-6 on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and had resided in this area for the past 40 years. Clay was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., and was a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and Air Force.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Shirley Clayviellie of Niceville; sons, Charles C. Clayviellie III and wife Cecile of Oxnard, Calif., Michael D. Clayviellie of Farmington, Utah, and William R. Clayviellie and wife Reiko of Concord, Calif.; grandchildren, Ginger Marie Clayviellie, Michael D. Clayviellie Jr. and Charles C. Clayviellie IV.
Private cremation services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 222 Hospital Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Peggy D. Owen
Peggy D. Owen, age 58, of Holt, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 28, 1999, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.
She was born on Jan. 5, 1941, in Coffee County, Ala., to the late Rebecca Bryant and Genius Ducker. Peggy was employed with S.T. Keltec of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for 12 years, where she will be missed by many.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Ducker. Peggy is survived by two daughters, Robbin Bass King and husband Wes of Holt, and Terrie Tarpley and husband Fred of Campton, Fla.; stepson, Lamar "Butch" Earnest of Huntsville, Texas. She left behind nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Faye Boswell and Judy Moody of Opp, Ala.; and brothers, Joe-Earl and Rex Ducker.
A memorial service will be held at Golan Assembly of God Church, north of Baker, Fla., on Highway 189, with Pastor James Paul officiating on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m.
Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Shands Hospital on behalf of Peggy Owen.
