Ludwig Rothbein
Ludwig Rothbein, age 77, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Sept. 26, 2000, in a local hospital.
He was born on May 14, 1923, in Nuremberg, Germany, son of the late Heinrich and Ella Rothbein and had resided in Fort Walton Beach since 1991. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II.
He held memberships in the Ford Foundation Fellowship, Presidents Committee on Mental Retardation, and the Colorado Developmental Disability Council. He also served as chairperson with the Denver Committee of the Disabled; as director of retirees of the AFL/CIO in Colorado; and served on the board of directors for Okaloosa Coordinated Transportation.
Mr. Rothbein was a Holocaust survivor and was very active in speaking to children in the public schools about the Holocaust.
He is survived by a daughter, Bonnie London and husband Charles of Shalimar, Fla.; son, Howard Rothbein and wife Sylvia of Tenafly, N.J.; brother, Sigmund Rothbein of El Paso, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ellen and Rachel London, and Paul and Ilana Rothbein.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
Flowers are gratefully declined, and those wishing may make a contribution in Mr. Rothbein's memory to Temple Beth Shalom for Holocaust Education, P.O. Box 111, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Rex B. Smallwood
Senior Master Sgt. Rex B. Smallwood, U.S. Air Force retired, age 78, died Sept. 12, 2000 in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Rex was born in Hagen, Va., on June 4, 1922. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served in the North African Theatre.
After World War II, Rex continued his military career, serving in the Strategic Air Command throughout the world.
He was a member of American Legion Post 235 and life member of VFW Post 7674 in Fort Walton Beach.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas O. and Bess Collins Smallwood; his brothers, Karl, Jean and Harold; and sister, Lennie S. Mahan.
Survivors include his sisters, Frances East of Milton, Fla., Evelyn Wright and husband George of Pensacola Beach, Fla.; his centenarian aunt, Clara Collins Monds of Greenville, Ind.; nephew, Patrick and sister-in-law Gertrude Smallwood of Mary Esther, Fla.; nephews and nieces, Tom and David Mahan, Nancy Wehberg, Charlsia Goldstraw and Marion Olsen of Anne Arundel County, Md., Cheryl Collinwood, Linda Taylor, Andrea Brunt, Karen Hagford and Denise Olson of Pensacola, Fla.
Graveside services, with full military honors, will be conducted on Friday, Sept. 29, at 12:30 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery. Casket Galleria and Affordable Funerals is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578.
Earl Alexander McGadney
Earl A. McGadney, age 52, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Saturday, Sept. 23, 2000, in a local hospital.
He was born on June 20, 1948, in Caryville, Fla., and was a resident of this area for the past four years, when he moved here from Columbia, Md. During his working years he was an employee of the city of Columbia, Md.
Earl enjoyed helping people and loved being with family and friends. He enjoyed playing trivia games, traveling and all sports.
Earl will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his son, Gary Porter McGadney of Fort Walton Beach; daughters, Katrina McGadney of Baltimore, Rosalind McGadney of Fort Walton Beach, and Crystal McGadney of Hurlburt Field, Fla.; brothers, the Rev. Johnny B. Hunt and wife Barbara of Dothan, Ala., and Michael A. McGadney of Fort Walton Beach; sister, Edna E. Crook and husband Jesse of Fort Walton Beach; grandchildren, Destiny Watson, Ronald Watson, Christian McGadney and Elijah Campbell; and a host of family and friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Little Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with clergy from the Life Changing Ministry officiating, along with family members.
Burial will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. Floral tributes are acceptable.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Helen LaVerne Fields
Helen LaVerne DeMeree Fields went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 27, 2000, from her home in Seminole subdivision of Niceville, Fla. She was under Hospice care for several months.
She was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Jan. 25, 1930, but was a Florida resident for most of her life and a pioneer of Seminole since 1959.
Helen was the daughter of Helen M. DeMeree and the late Rev. M.R. DeMeree. She attended school in Avon Park, Fla., where she met and married Warren K. Fields in July 1948.
Helen spent her entire adult life helping others, starting with her family. She traveled the country with her husband and their two sons during his career in the U.S. Air Force. As a nurse she was stationed at Eastern Maine General Hospital and McDill Air Force Hospital. She also gave of herself in many volunteer capacities for her community - for instance, in the Seminole Fire Department, Water Board and Crime Stoppers.
Her father, the Rev. M.R. DeMeree, and her only brother, Robert L. DeMeree, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband of over 52 years, Warren K. Fields; their two sons, Raymond K. Fields of Philadelphia, and John A. Fields and wife Norge G., and granddaughters, Saishoni', Jonelle and Hailey Fields, all of Houston; and her mother, Helen M. DeMeree of Niceville.
Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and daughter and will be remembered always with love and affection by her family.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Emerald Coast in Destin, Fla., who gave great love and care to our whole family.
The family would like to thank the many friends who expressed their love during Helen's illness.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
C. Eugene Hendrix
C. Eugene Hendrix, age 70, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Sept. 24, 2000.
Mr. Hendrix was born in Fairfield, Ala., on Dec. 5, 1929. After graduating from West End High School in Birmingham, Ala., in 1948, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Gene graduated from Naval Electronics School before entering into the NavCad Flight Training Program in 1948. He received his wings on Dec. 12, 1951, and was assigned to the VF14 Tophatters Squadron in Jacksonville, Fla. In 1954, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and continued his military service in the Reserves.
Gene enrolled at Auburn University in 1954. After receiving his degree in electrical engineering in 1957, he relocated to Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He worked for civil service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where he retired on Jan. 1, 1988. Gene, aka "Silver Fox," was an enthusiastic golfer, enjoying life on the greens with the "Gaggle." An avid fan of both college and professional football, he remained a loyal Auburn football fan to the very end.
He also enjoyed snorkeling, scuba diving, and playing bridge with local bridge groups.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, M. Arlene Hendrix; daughter, Holly Proano of Alpharetta, Ga.; son, Lance Hendrix of Madison, Ala.; son, Travis Hendrix of Jacksonville, Fla. Other survivors include his mother, Cora Lee Hendrix of Niceville, Fla.; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Lawson Richards; and grandchildren, Haley Hendrix, Tylyn Hendrix, Erik Proano, Kenzie Hendrix, Andrea Proano, Blake Hendrix and Alexander Hendrix.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, in the Peace Room of Emerald Coast Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in the chapel of Emerald Coast Funeral Home. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery, with full military honors.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy M. Records
Dorothy M. Records of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Sept. 27, 2000, from complications related to cancer.
She was born in Pawnee County, Okla., on Sept. 27, 1921, and was the oldest of three daughters born to Ralph and Ocie Swearingen.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Walter L. Records; daughter, Sharon and husband James Hooper and family of Springfield, Va.; sons, William Records and wife Augie Jo of Great Falls, Mont., and Russell Records and wife Barbara of Longmont, Colo.; four grandchildren; and sisters, June McEwen of Palm Springs, Calif., and Phyllis Swearingen of Portland, Ore.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach. Dorothy was also an active member of the Eglin Retired Officers' Wives Club; and a longtime member of the Arts and Design Society. She was a professional visual artist with completion of commissioned paintings and many of her paintings were selected for hanging in juried art shows in Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola, Fla. She painted in several medium, including pencil, oil, pastel, acrylic and watercolor.
Memorial services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach at 11 a.m. Sept. 30, with a family visitation gathering at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society.
Katie Ree Kidd
Sister Katie Ree Kidd, age 69, of Anchorage, Alaska, departed this life to be with Jesus on Sept. 20, 2000, while attending a prayer meeting at Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Anchorage, where she was a member.
She was born on Sept. 5, 1931, in Nachez, Ala., and moved to Crestview, Fla., in the late 1960s. She moved to Anchorage in the late 1980s. Sister Kidd united with the Macedonia Baptist Church family in Crestview until she agreed to become the full-time musician at Beulah Baptist Church in Milligan, Fla.
She leaves to cherish her memories.
Survivors include her stepmother, Doris Robbins of Crestview; sons, Lionel Kidd of Anchorage, Moses (Patricia) Reese, Albert Kidd, and Nathan (Brenda) Jackson, all of Tampa, Fla.; daughters, Brenda Reese-Gordon of Anchorage, Fernando Rudolph (Grady) of Cucamonga, Calif., and Sharon Kidd-Caraboli (Dennis) of Lake Wales, Fla.; sister, Lonzie Marie Robbins of Los Angeles; stepsister, Nadene Bell (Austin) of Washington, D.C.; brothers, Robert Davis Jr. (Lou) of Baton Rouge, La., Lonnie Jackson (Mattie) of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Tommy Robbins of Evergreen, Ala.; 22 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and two godchildren, Vita Moore of Crestview, and Kita Johnson of Georgia.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Macedonia Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Gray officiating. Burial will follow in Springhill Cemetery. Mrs. Kidd will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services.
The family asks that all food be taken to the fellowship hall at the church.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert B. Barber
Herbert B. Barber, age 70, of Jax, Fla., passed away Sept. 23, 2000.
He retired from the U.S. Air Force with service in the Navy and Coast Guard. He served in Vietnam.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Betty Ann; daughter, Sharon and husband Gary; son, Brian Van and wife Wendy; daughter, Janice Lynn and husband Greg; and granddaughters, Sara, Kimberly and Lauren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
William Franklin Lowe
William Franklin Lowe, age 70, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Thursday, Sept. 28, 2000.
Bill was born in Milwaukee on Aug. 2, 1930, to Robert A. Lowe and Vivian Cross and was a resident of the Northwest Florida area since 1966.
Bill served his country for over 40 years. He logged over 5,000 hours flying various aircraft, including the F-86 and the C-130.
He served one tour of duty in Viet-nam, affiliated with the Jolly Green Search and Rescue. He retired as a major with the U.S. Air Force in 1973 and soon afterwards started civil service work as a safety administrator at the Armament Lab at Eglin Air Force Base, retiring in 1995.
Bill was an active member in the Fort Walton Beach community. He thoroughly enjoyed Stage Crafters, acting in a number of plays over the past 20 years and serving his fellow thespians as past president, and in other duties.
Bill was a devoted husband of 40 years to Ilah Gayle Lowe, who passed away in 1997. He was also a devoted father and a genuine friend who always appreciated a good joke.
Survivors include his father, Robert A. Lowe of Brainerd, Minn.; daughters, Ann E. LaMountain of Kempner, Texas, and Nancy J. Marsicek and husband Matt of Knoxville, Tenn.; sons, James A. Lowe of Mary Esther, Fla., Eric W. Lowe of New Orleans; sister, Jane Purple of Aurora, Colo.; brothers, Pete Lowe of Brainerd, and Geoff Lowe; grandson, Robert L. LaMountain III and wife Juanna; great-granddaughter, Ilah Rose LaMountain and special lady friend, Lila Fischer.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery at 2 p.m., with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mr. Lowe's memory to the American Diabetes Association; Stage Crafters; or Boys Town.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Kathleen Bogan
Lawyer, poet, artist and activist for social justice, Kathleen M. Bogan, age 52, passed away Monday, Sept. 25, 2000, in an accidental fall from a ladder at her home in Portland, Ore.
Kathleen was born on Nov. 25, 1947, in Boston. She graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in 1965. She studied poetry with Donald Justice and Philip Booth at Syracuse University, where she earned an A.B. in English in 1969. Following a career in journalism and advertising she earned a law degree from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in 1980. She was a Fulbright professor in Berlin in 1990 and served in all three branches of state government during her professional career.
After receiving her law degree, Ms. Bogan clerked for Justice Betty Roberts at the Oregon Court of Appeals and after Justice Roberts was appointed to the high court, the Oregon Supreme Court from 1980 through 1982.
She served as legal counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Joint Interim Committee on Judiciary from 1983 through 1985, working with then Sen. Jan Wyers as committee chair. She served as human services coordinator for the City of Portland in 1985 before taking a position as executive director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Council, which she held from 1985 through her early retirement in 1992.
An award-winning poet, Ms. Bogan published work in many poetry journals and reviews, including the Alaska Quarterly Review, Atlanta Review, Seattle Review, and in numerous anthologies, among them "The Muse Strikes Back" (Storyline Press 1997). She was awarded a writer's residency at Centrum Art Center in Fort Townsend, Wash., in 1998, and a Fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center in the spring of this year.
Her art work, which combines poetry, collage and assemblage, has been exhibited throughout Oregon and Washington, including the State Capitol in Salem, and in Portland the Waterstone Gallery and the Multnomah Arts Center.
In addition to her many friends, Kathleen is survived by her mother, Regina Hafer Bogan of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and her sister, Paula Hudson; brother-in-law, Gary Hudson; nephews, Nathan Hudson; and niece, Kimberly Hudson of Monticello, Fla.
Edward J. Morris Jr.
Edward J. Morris Jr., born Dec. 24, 1931, in Mount Carmel, Pa., died at Gulf Breeze Baptist Hospital on Sept. 27, 2000.
He had resided in Linden, N.J., before moving to Navarre, Fla., nine years ago. He also retired from General Motors Assembly Plant in Linden after 38 years of service and served 30 years as a representative for the UAW Local 595 in several capacities.
Ed was a member of the Moose Lodge in Pennsylvania. He served as vice president of the Navarre Lions Club and was a trustee of Elks Lodge 2787 in Navarre. Ed served on numerous committees for the benefit of children. He was Catholic by faith.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Morris of Navarre; daughter, Kathleen Phadden and husband John of Highland Park, N.J.; brother, Eugene Morris of New Jersey; sister, Lorraine Coroniti of Pennsylvania; and grandson, Trevor John Edward Phadden. Ed is also survived by twin aunts, Lucy and Edna Gavinowicz; and numerous other family in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Elks Lodge 2787, Navarre.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
