Clifford B. Dawson Sr.
Clifford B. Dawson Sr., age 75, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997.
Mr. Dawson was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, on Feb. 25, 1922. He was retired from the U.S. Navy, and enjoyed golfing.
Funeral services will take place in New Jersey with Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home of Whiting, N.J., in charge, and final committal services under the direction of the Navy.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of local arrangements.
Mary Keeley Bauer
Mary Keeley Bauer of Valparaiso, Fla., died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1997.
Mrs. Bauer was born on Dec. 13, 1920, in Atlantic City, N.J. After working with IBM she moved to the area with civil service in 1946. She was active in several civic and religious organizations. Mrs. Bauer was a charter member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and the first president of the Ladies Altar Society. She was also a charter member and officer in the hospital auxiliary and in the Valparaiso Garden Club.
She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Jerome J. Bauer of Valparaiso; sons and daughters-in-law, John J. and Anne Bauer of Tampa, Fla., and James M. and Stephanie Bauer of Dunwoody, Ga.; daughter and son-in-law, Carole and David Williams of Niceville, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann and Peter Kavanaugh of New York, Agnes and Bill Amos of Grass Valley, Calif., and Kathleen and Bill Hemphill of Brigantine, N.J.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Loretta Keeley of Stratford, N.J., and John and Marlene Keeley of Brigantine; grandchildren, Erin, Colin and Liam; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home with a rosary being recited at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church with the Rev. Daniel J. Butler officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in memory of Mrs. Bauer to the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church Building Fund, 1200 Valparaiso Boulevard, Niceville, or to a charity of your choice.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
James L. Monroe
Dr. James Monroe was born in Gadsden, Ala., Jan. 4, 1920, and moved to Birmingham at the age of five. He was educated in Birmingham public schools and attended Samford University (Howard College). He graduated from Livingston State University and received his theological degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Dr. Monroe's pastorates included churches in Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana and Florida. His most recent pastorate was at First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach for 18 years. He served as interim pastor of many Florida churches.
He filled leadership positions in the state conventions of Florida and Alabama, including president of the Pastors' Conference and a member of the State Executive Board. In Florida, he was chairman of the Trustees of Florida Baptist Theological College, president of the Florida Baptist Convention and the Florida Baptist Pastors' Conference. He also served as a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and was chairman of the SBC Executive Committee.
Among the honors Dr. Monroe received were Alumni of the Year from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Minister of the Year at Stetson University.
Upon retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Monroe were appointed as coordinators between the Foreign Mission Board and the state of Florida in Partnership Evangelism. He and Mrs. Monroe, along with thousands of volunteers, have reached people for Christ all over the world.
Dr. Monroe's influence was also felt in his community. He was instrumental in developing White Sands Manor and Westwood Health Care Center. He served leadership position in many civic and community organizations.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Young Monroe; three daughters, Saralyn, wife of Rev. T. Marshall Collins, of Orlando, Nancy, wife of Jim Hale, of Shalimar, Ruth, wife of Steve Cameron, of Mobile; Vietnamese children, Dr. Joshua M. Tran and wife, Nguyet; brother, Rev. Jerry A. Monroe, and wife, Sara, of Fayetteville, N.C.; grandchildren, Mark and Lara Collins, Lee and Curt Hale, Clark Cameron and Amanda Godoy, Giao Dang, Namha Corbin, and Timothy Tran; and one great-grandson, Brett Hale.
A private family service will be held in the Monroe Chapel of First Baptist Church. A memorial celebration of Dr. Monroe's life will be held 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, at First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach. Pastors and their wives and participants of Dr. and Mrs. Monroe's mission trips will be honored with reserved seating in the service. Following the service, a reception will be held with Dr. and Mrs. Monroe's family and friends in Fellowship Hall of the church.
At Dr. Monroe's request, his ashes will be placed in the foundation of the new sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Monroe Mission Fund through First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach.
Stanley Kucal
Stanley Kucal, U.S. Air Force retired, age 56, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 27, 1999, at Eglin Air Force Base Regional Hospital.
Stan was born on Dec. 29, 1942, to Stanley and Josephine Kucal in Chicago.
Mr. Kucel retired from the Air Force in 1982 after serving 20 years of active duty. Stanley served two tours as an AC-130H Spectre Gunship crewmember in the Vietnam conflict and received numerous military decorations and awards for service to his country. He also was medically retired from Eglin civil service in 1996. Stanley was a member of the local VFW Post 7674.
Mr. Kucal was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, "Nit-K"; daughters, Kristine of Fontana, Calif., Pat of Okinawa, and Pook of Portland, Ore.; and grandchildren, Anthony, Antoinette and Carlos. He is also survived by his loving aunt, Helen, of Chicago.
Stanley, a good friend to many, was Catholic by faith and a wake was held in his honor at Little Chapel Funeral Home on Sunday evening, Jan. 31.
Funeral services were conducted at Little Chapel Funeral Home on Monday, Feb. 1.
Mr. Kucal's final resting place is the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla. Graveside services, with full military honors, were held on Feb. 1. Honorary pallbearers included Stan's "Spectre" family and friends Mr. Tom Milligan and Mr. Paul Cornish.
Mr. Kucal had been in poor health for the past several years and the family wishes to thank the staff at both the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Eglin Regional Hospital for the personalized care given Stanley during his hospitalization at both facilities.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 N. Beak Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, was entrusted with arrangements.
Lois Louise Curenton
Lois Louise Curenton, age 85, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999, in a local nursing center.
She was born in Sanford, Ala., and moved to Crestview in 1947. Mrs. Curenton was a member of First Baptist Church of Crestview and a homemaker.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at First Baptist Church of Crestview with the Rev. Fran Picker officiating. Burial will be in Damascus Cemetery near Lockhart, Ala., at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Earl Curenton officiating.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Leon and Bertie Ann Curenton of Laurel Hill, Fla., Joe and Betty Curenton, and Larue and Judy Curenton, all of Crestview; sister, Eolyan Holley of Saraland, Ala.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Mrs. Curenton will also lie in state at the church one hour before funeral services.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Walter Earl Hill
Tech. Sgt. Walter Earl Hill, U.S. Air Force retired, age 51, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away in a local hospital Jan. 31, 1999, as the result of an automobile accident.
He was born on March 2, 1947, in Meridian, Miss., and moved to the Fort Walton Beach area 13 years ago from England. He retired from the Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in 1987 with over 20 years of service. He was a member of the chapel at Eglin Air Force Base and his home church was the Haven Chapel United Methodist Church in Meridian He was a life member of the American Military Association; a life member of NAACP; and member of Eglin NCO Club. Mr. Hill was a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University.
Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his mother, Ethel M. Hill; two brothers and one sister. Survivors include his wife, Mattie F. Hill; sons, Juna Hill and Samuel Hill, all of Fort Walton Beach; father, John Primos Hill of Meridian; brothers, Joshua Hill Sr. of Houston, Nathan Hill of Quitman, Miss., and Theodore Hill of Stockton, Calif.; sister, Johnnie P. Loper of Meridian; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, in Chapel No. 2, Eglin Air Force Base with U.S. Air Force Chaplain Levi Braswell officiating.
Further services will be conducted on Saturday, Feb. 6, at St. John's Baptist Church in Meridian with the Rev. Jimmy Johnson officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Clark Funeral Home in Meridian.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Howard M. Chandler
Howard M. Chandler, age 67, formerly of Bedford, Ind., died Thursday, Jan. 28, 1999, at a Pensacola, Fla., hospital following a heart attack several days before his death.
Mr. Chandler is survived by his wife, Pat Chandler of Navarre, Fla., and his six children, Roger Chandler, Reva Wyatt, Rhonda Chandler, Wanda Liddell, Virginia Buchanan and Barbie Sturdivant. He had nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was the son of Earl Chandler of Bedford and Beatrice Chandler, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his loving stepmother, Ruth Chandler.
Mr. Chandler was born and raised in Bedford and returned regularly to visit his parents; his brothers, Jerry Chandler and Mike Chandler; sister, Carol; and aunt and uncle, Mae Chandler and Elza Chandler (now deceased); and various other family members and friends.
He moved to Florida in the early '60s and operated Chandler's Garage with his brother, Morgan Chandler.
In accordance with Mr. Chandler's final wishes, no formal memorial service is being held.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Arrangements by Rose Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Tom Koszarek
Tom Koszarek, age 47, died unexpectedly on Friday, April 23, 1999, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
His passing will leave a big void in the lives of those who knew him. Tom's big heart and loving spirit blessed us all.
Tom was born on Oct. 25, 1951, in Harris-burg, Pa., and had resided in this area for the past 12 years. He was a master carpenter by trade and an accomplished musician who played with many of the bands in the area. His love of music and life touched the lives of all who had the opportunity to play with him. We will forever treasure the music he made.
Survivors include his father, retired Col. Frank Koszarek of Spain; mother, Myndal Koszarek of Phoenix; sons, Andrew and Philip of Norman, Okla.; and longtime loving companion, Anita Hartstall of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Temple Church, Hickory Street (off Lovejoy Road) on Sunday, May 9, at 4 p.m.
Tom loved to play the blues and gospel. God bless him.
Charles L. Morgan
Charles L. Morgan, age 84, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away at Eglin Air Force Base Hospital, Fla., on Wednesday, May 5, 1999.
He was born on Jan. 28, 1915, in Bonanza, Ky., and had been a resident of the local area for the past 16 years, moving here from Tennessee. He was Baptist by faith and a member of Florosa Baptist Church. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force, serving in World War II, the Korean conflict and Vietnam, and later retired as a master sergeant after 26 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his son, Charles Lee Morgan, in 1994. Survivors include his loving wife of 39 years, Ann Elizabeth Morgan of Shalimar; brother, B.J. Morgan of Kentucky; sisters, Eugenia Richardson, Anna Belle White, Ida Ruth Waliuzius and Flora Mae Morgan, all of Kentucky, Winifred Hope Morgan and Launa Clark of Florida.
Mr. Morgan will be laid to rest in Barrancas National Cemetery on Friday, May 7.
A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9, at Florosa Baptist Church, 102 Church St., Mary Esther, Fla., with Dr. Lynn Browning officiating.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
Rev. James R. Beers Sr.
The Rev. James Robert Beers Sr., age 69, of the Appleton Community in Brewton, Ala., passed away early Thursday morning, Nov. 25, 1999, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital after an extended illness.
He was a native of South Canaan, Pa., and a resident of Brewton for the past 16 years, coming from Valparaiso, Fla. He was pastor of the Appleton Assembly of God Church and was ordained in the Assembly of God Ministry since July 11, 1972.
He was retired from the U.S. Navy with 20 years of service as chief hospital corpsman and served in the Korean conflict and also the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his wife, Sister Faith Ann Cox Beers of Brewton; son, James R. Beers Jr. and wife Dawn of East Brewton; daughters, Donna Z. Wilde and husband Bill of Smyrna, Tenn., and Margaret J. Wells and husband Lester of Niceville, Fla.; sister, Margaret Neuschwanter of Hamlin, Pa.; grandchildren, Billy Wilde, Scotty Wilde, Brian Wells, Aaron Wells, Caleb Beers and Brittany Beers; great-grandchild, Ashleigh Wilde; nephew, Tom Dukerich; and father-in-law, the Rev. W.J. Cox.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Appleton Assembly of God Church.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, at Appleton Assembly of God Church with the Revs. Avon Fowler and Larry Hart officiating. Interment will follow in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is in charge of arrangements.
Reno F. Trahan
Reno F. Trahan passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, at his residence in the arms of his wife Sue. The Lord saw fit for him not to suffer and took him home.
Reno was a born and bred full-blooded Cajun born in Houma, La., on July 8, 1928, to the late Rufus and Ouida Trahan. His fun-loving, friendly smiles never met a stranger and he would talk with everyone. He loved and enjoyed talking to all the children, usually carrying candy for all and making jokes with friends, family and all alike.
Moving to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., after living in Memphis, Tenn., six years ago, he lived at 122 Robinwood Drive N.W., Fort Walton Beach, and was a member of Oakland Assembly of God in Fort Walton Beach.
Outside of his wife, Reno leaves the light of his life, Kyle Hess, grandson of Memphis; son, Albert E. Trahan of Biloxi, Miss.; daughter, Trish Roland of Memphis; grandchildren, William Hugh Trahan and Andrea Babbell of California, Renee and Kenny Joe Lindsey of Memphis; four great-grandchildren; stepsons, Sandy and wife Fran Dobbins of Olive Branch, Miss., their four children, Carl R. Hess and his son Alex of Memphis and Dennis Glenn, father of Kyle and Ethan Hess of Piperton, Tenn.; his uncle, with whom he was raised as brothers, Gary Pitre and wife "auntie" Hazel of Puyallup, Wash., and their two children; sister, Betty Thompson of Metarie, La., and her two children, Gail and T.J.; and numerous nieces and nephews; cousins - all Cajuns and full of fun.
He had many "adopted kids," including Doug Akers and Dave Elrod of Fort Walton Beach. These two were always ready to help out at any time. The entire staff at the Fort Walton Beach Hospital, where he was a frequent patient, and White Wilson Clinic loved him.
Thanks go to Dr. Mark Schroeder, Nurse Chantel and the staff of Hospice for making his last few weeks comfortable and caring.
Reno had been in ill health for many years but was just diagnosed with brain cancer three weeks ago.
Reno was a retired Teamster truck driver; and a member of the American Legion. At the age of 13, Reno joined the Merchant Marines, also serving with the Coast Guard and the Navy during World War II and the Korean conflict.
Reno felt that flowers were for the "living" and in lieu of flowers the family will accept monies to help defray expenses; or a donation may be made to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis.
Funeral services will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 2, with burial in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola following at 2 p.m.
A visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. The Rev. Jacak Webster of Oakland Assembly of God and Mickey Crutchfield of Myrtle, Miss., brother of Reno's wife Sue, will hold service.
"IF I KNEW"
"If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep
If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door
I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise
I would videotape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute or two to stop and say "I love you"
Instead of assuming, you would know I do.
If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day
Well, I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight
And always get a second chance to make everything right.
There will always be another day to say "I love you's"
And certainly there's another chance to say "Anything I can do's?"
But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get
I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike
And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day
That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
And you were too busy to grant someone what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today, whisper in their ear
Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear.
Take time to say "I'm sorry," "please forgive me," "thank you" or "it's okay"
And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today."
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
