Richard Jeffrey Davis
Richard Jeffrey "Jeff" Davis, age 41, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died unexpectedly Friday, April 10, 1998.
He was born on Sept. 6, 1956, in Syracuse, N.Y.
He is survived by his daughter, Holly Spinx of Atlanta; parents, Ray F. and Emily H. Davis of Fort Walton Beach; brothers, Jim and wife Caren Davis of Fort Walton Beach, John and wife Debrah Davis of Prattville, Ala., Ray and wife Betty Davis of Crestview, Fla., and Paul and wife Nesta Davis of Mary Esther, Fla.; sister, Martha (Marti) and husband Dan Stacken of Shalimar; several nieces and nephews; and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at McLaughlin Mortuary. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. in McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Dallas Little officiating. Following the services, Richard's remains will be cremated.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice, or that you plant a tree in memory of Mr. Davis.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Howard Andrew Parker
Retired and dearly beloved physician and family man Howard Andrew Parker died Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 1998, at his home.
He was born to A.C. and Fawn Parker, formerly of Destin, Fla.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; sons, Madison and wife Starlite, and Howard Jr. and wife Judy; daughter, Jean Ruckel; and his only grandchild, Howard Madison Ruckel.
He was a member of St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Valparaiso, Fla.
Dr. Parker practiced in Okaloosa County for the better part of 40 years, along with the office staff of Helen Richardson and Jane Bluharp, his beloved nurses, and his equally beloved secretary, Ruby Greisheimer. Through the years he also served as chief of staff of several Okaloosa County hospitals and was deeply devoted to his practice.
The community is invited to share in his services.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville, on today from 5 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. with the Revs. Dave P. Dabria and Arnold A. Bush officiating.
Honorary pallbearers include George Mehling, Bob Keller, Dr. Hugh Norton, Dr. Henry Haire, Dr. Ted Laughlin, Dr. Drew Giesen, Don Dewrell, Dr. Gene Celano, Dr. Johnny Johnson, Dr. Joe Levine, Dr. Lee Ettinger, Terry Griffin, Wilson Minger, Kelly Burke, Judge Andy Anderson, Dowling Phillips, Col. Warren Whitmire, Sam Tormino, Edwin Watts, Doyle Crane, Gillis Powell, John Wilfong and Roger H. Wright.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Ardell Gordon
Ardell Gordon, age 86, of Crestview, Fla., died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview.
Mrs. Gordon was born in Kilmichael, Miss., on March 27, 1912, to Walter and Cora Weeks Castle and had been a resident of the Northwest Florida area since 1945. Mrs. Gordon was retired from the Okaloosa County school system, where she had taught school for 35 years. She was a member of the Okaloosa County Retired Teacher's Association; and First United Methodist Church in Crestview.
Mrs. Gordon was preceded in death by her husband, David E. Gordon.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Dave Gordon of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Walter C. and Janice Gordon of Shalimar, Fla.; grandchildren, Walter C. Gordon II of Atlanta, Melissa Pike of Pensacola, Fla., Suzin Gordon of Crestview, and Melinda Gordon of Pensacola; great-grandchild, Ryan Pike of Fort Walton Beach; brother, William Castle of Columbus, Miss.; sisters, Kitty Gillan of Leland, Miss., Velma Abraham of Gulfport, Miss., Jewel Lonney of Leland, and Faye Pasch of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home on today from 6 to 8 p.m.
The funeral service will be conducted at First United Methodist Church of Crestview on Wednesday, April 15, at 2 p.m. with the Revs. John Wesley Spivey and Jim Ross officiating. Mrs. Gordon will be placed in the church one hour prior to services. Interment will follow in Antioch Cemetery in Crestview.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Alan Kenneth Dallas
Lt. Col. Alan K. Dallas, age 85, U.S. Army retired, passed away at Eglin Hospital on March 27, 1998.
He was born on Nov. 10, 1912, in Cincinnati and was Protestant by faith. He retired from the U.S. Army after honorably serving his country. He enjoyed the area and could often be found at the Army's Maxwell Gunter recreational areas. Mr. Dallas made many friends while staying at the recreation areas.
He is survived by a son, Alan Terry Dallas of West Palm Beach, Fla.
Friends may call at McLaughlin Mortuary from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.
Funeral services will be conducted in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., on Thursday, April 16, at 2 p.m., with a military chaplain officiating and military honors.
Floral tributes are acceptable, or for those who desire, a contribution may be made to the Air Force Aid Society, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in memory of Lt. Col. Alan K. Dallas.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements and services.
Harry Gene Harris
Harry Gene Harris, age 62, of Valparaiso, Fla., and formerly of Slocomb, Ala., died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at his residence following a short illness.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. today in Meadowlawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Dan Raley and Larry Newton officiating. Burial will follow in Slocomb City Cemetery.
The family will be at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Harris, Morris Street, Slocomb.
Mr. Harris was born and reared in Slocomb, where he was a graduate of Slocomb High School. He also attended The University of Alabama, where he obtained a degree in engineering. He was employed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., prior to his retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Slocomb.
Mr. Harris was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence Harris. Survivors include his wife, Polly (Holly) Strickland Harris of Valparaiso; parents, Harry and Gladys Harris of Slocomb; daughters and sons-in-law, Sherry Ellen Ellis of Florence, Ala., Lisa Harris Tetzlaff and husband Michael of Fort Walton Beach, and Marcie Alburn and husband Tom, also of Fort Walton Beach; brother, James Zack Harris of Lafayette, La.; grandchildren, Dameion Green, Megan Green, Ryan Ellis, Nichole Ellis and Tyson Alburn; and nieces, Harri Ann Smith, Hope Johnson, both of Slocomb, and Kay Christiansen of Salt Lake City.
Meadowlawn Funeral Home, Hartford, Ala., is in charge of arrangements.
Blanche Inez Adriansen
Blanche Inez Adriansen, age 86, of Choctaw Beach, Fla., died Monday, April 13, 1998, at her home.
She was a homemaker and a Baptist by faith. She attended the First Baptist Church of Choctaw Beach. Mrs. Adriansen was formerly a volunteer with the Council on Aging and had resided in this area for the past 39 years.
She was preceded in death by her sons, John Lemuel Martin and Charles Fred Martin; and a daughter, Hilda McGinnis. She is survived by her son, Terry Adriansen of Destin, Fla.; daughters, Stella R. Trotman of Murfreesboro, N.C., Nancy Carlock of Choctaw Beach, Amelia King of Everett, Wash., Ethna West of Hampton, Va., Frankie Chappell of Newport News, Va., and Angelia Junger of Freeport, Fla.; brother, Frank Forrest of Louisville, Ky.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel on Thursday, April 16, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bob Cupstid officiating. Interment will follow in Destin Memorial Cemetery.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
Curtis Brad McDuffie
Curtis Brad McDuffie, age 43, of Crestview, Fla., died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at his home.
He was born in Hartford, Ala., and had been a resident of this area since 1973. He was Baptist by faith and served in the U.S. Army as an aircraft mechanic.
Survivors include his wife, Fay McDuffie; sons, Shaun C. McDuffie and Brandon O. McDuffie; daughter, Christen L. McDuffie; mother, Mary Bowling and stepfather Billy C. Bowling; and sister, Mary L. Kervin, all of Crestview.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in Charge of arrangements.
Linda M. Thornton
Linda M. Thornton, age 90, of Mary Esther, Fla., passed away at her home on April 12, 1998.
She was born on March 10, 1908, in Thurman, Ohio, and had resided in the local area since 1978, when she moved here from Chillicothe, Ohio. She was Methodist by faith.
She enjoyed caring for and the beauty of her flower garden. Her family -- children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren -- were always the most important things in life.
Survivors include her son, Marvin and daughter-in-law Patricia Thornton of Mary Esther; sister, Ernestine Atkinson of Tucson, Ariz.; grandchildren, Lisa Roberts of Destin, Fla., Edie Myers of Navarre, Fla., and Debra Thornton of Mary Esther; and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 17, at 3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ashley Pogue officiating. Mrs. Thornton's final resting place will be in Ohio beside her late husband.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., entrusted with arrangements.
William A. Douglas
Retired Senior Master Sgt. William A. "Bill" Douglas, age 81, of Crestview, Fla., died at his residence Monday, April 13, 1998.
Mr. Douglas was born in Gandy's Cove, Ala., on July 29, 1916, to Lemuel and Lola Bean Douglas and had been a resident of the Northwest Florida area since 1951. Mr. Douglas was retired from the U.S. Air Force as a senior master sergeant and was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a member of the Okaloosa Kennel Club.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Tassie E. Douglas of Crestview; son and daughter-in-law, James Ira and Mary Douglas of Crestview; daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Larry Eisenburg of Huntsville, Ala.; brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Doris Douglas of Hartselle, Ala.; sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn Vest of Hartselle, and Carolyn and Larry McLaughlin of Texas; two grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Douglas will be conducted from the family residence at 5596 Waldo Road, Crestview, on Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Ruth Taylor Hicks
Ruth Taylor Hicks, age 76, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away unexpectedly at her home on April 13, 1998.
She was born in Okaloosa County, Fla., on Jan. 6, 1922, to John and Clara Smith Taylor and had lived in this area all her life. She was a homemaker by choice, and a member of Wright Assembly of God Church.
Mrs. Hicks was preceded in death by her husband, John Hicks, in 1973, and all her brothers and sisters. She is survived by one son, William Hicks of Fort Walton Beach; granddaughter, Lisa Griffin of Munson, Fla.; nephews, Johnny Hicks of Mossy Head, Fla., Dennis Hicks, Herman Hicks, Joe Hicks and Gene Taylor, all of Fort Walton Beach; nieces, Jean Ryan of Alaska, Earlene Mixon of Mossy Head, Jane Broome and Vera Hibbs, both of Verbena, Ala.; and numerous other cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James G. Cole officiating. Burial will follow in Wright Community Cemetery in Wright, Fla.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 N.E. Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
