George H. Kimmel Jr.
George H. Kimmel Jr., age 67, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1998, in Tallahassee, Fla.
Mr. Kimmel is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary D. Kimmel. He is also survived by a son, Robert R. Kimmel and his wife Susie; son, Steven B. Kimmel and his wife Lynn; daughter, Nancy Carnathan and her husband Clay; son, Joseph Gregory Kimmel and his wife Robin; daughter, Anne Bennett and her husband Bob; daughter, Libby Anthony and her husband Ronnie; brother, Robert B. Kimmel and his wife Kathy; and 13 grandchildren.
Mr. Kimmel was a former president of the Florida Nursery Growers Association; founder and 30-year president of Ponderosa Builders Inc. He was a Kentucky Colonel; and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner.
He loved hunting, fishing, the outdoors and, most of all, his family.
Tentative arrangements are through McLaughlin Mortuary of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.: visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, and funeral services 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, both at First United Methodist Church, 103 First St. S.E., Fort Walton Beach.
Arvil G. Boyd
Arvil G. Boyd, age 75, of Niceville, Fla., passed away at Twin Cities Hospital on Sunday, Dec. 6, 1998.
He was born on March 6, 1923, in Sugden, Okla., and had been a resident of the local area for the past 11 years, when he moved here from Burkburnett, Texas. He was Pentecostal by faith and a member of First Pentecostal Church in Niceville.
Survivors include his loving wife, Myrtice, of 54 years; sons, Eugene and wife Orlene Boyd of Houston, Mark Boyd of Niceville; daughters, Linda and husband Bobby Harrison of Niceville, and Marsha and husband Tony Anthony of Omaha, Neb.; brothers, Aubrey Boyd of New Jersey, C.W. Boyd of Texas, Kenneth Boyd of Texas, and Jimmie Boyd of Colorado; sisters, June Franklin of Oklahoma, Bertha Barnes of Oklahoma, Louise Smith of Texas, and Gladys Duncan of Texas; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Little Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the funeral home with the Rev. Kenneth Boller and Mr. Boyd's son-in-law, the Rev. Tony Anthony, officiating. Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., at 1:15 p.m. with military honors. Friends may call one hour prior to service.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Debra Ann Laverty
Debra Ann Weems Laverty, age 44, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Dec. 5, 1998.
Debbie was born in Shreveport, La., on May 11, 1954, to Robert T. Weems and Marjorie B. Weems, and had lived in Fort Walton Beach most of her life, since age 6. Debra was known in the Fort Walton Beach area as an inspirational and talented vocalist during her life. It is for her loving and generous spirit that she will be remembered.
Debra was preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie B. Weems. She is survived by her father, Robert T. Weems of Fort Walton Beach; one sister, Gwen Gillis of Spanish Fort, Ala.; a brother, Fred T. Weems and sister-in-law, Judy Weems of Marietta, Ga. Debra also left nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service for Debra was held on Dec. 6 at First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach with the Revs. James Ross and Dallas Little officiating.
Individuals wishing to send memorials in Debra's name may send them to First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, Fla., is entrusted with arrangements.
Margaret Elizabeth Faircloth
Margaret Elizabeth "Bobby" Faircloth, age 78, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 6, 1998, at her home.
Mrs. Faircloth was born on March 25, 1920, in Milton, Fla., to James R. and Irene Brown Faircloth. She relocated here in 1978 from Milton and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1942, where she was on the golf team. Later she worked for social services in Japan with the American Red Cross and she also taught elementary school for several years.
Survivors include her sisters, Nancy Smart of Fort Walton Beach, and Joann Cohee of Indianapolis; 11 nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Cathy Pritchard.
Memorial services will be conducted at McLaughlin Mortuary on Thursday at 3 p.m. with the Rev. James T. Ross officiating.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, entrusted with arrangements.
Merlin Lee Elscott
Retired Staff Sgt. Merlin Lee Elscott, age 66, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1998, at his residence.
Mr. Elscott was born on Sept. 8, 1932, in Lynn Grove Township, Iowa. He retired in 1996 with a combined 43 years in both civil service and the Army Rangers. He had been a resident of Shalimar since 1971.
Mr. Elscott was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Beatty. He is survived by his wife, Erika Elscott of Shalimar; father, Wallace Elscott of Iowa; sons, Robert M. Elscott of Shalimar, David W. Elscott and wife Kathi of Tennessee, Frank L. Elscott and wife Shari of New York, Ronald W. Elscott and wife Tamara of Milton, Fla., and Michel E. Elscott and wife Angela of Freeport, Fla.; and numerous grandchildren.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday, Dec. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Barrancas National Cemetery.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Scott Stephen Corey
Scott Stephen Corey, age 30, of Shalimar, Fla., passed away Monday, Dec. 7, 1998, while working on a construction job.
Mr. Corey was born in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 8, 1968. He moved to Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in 1992 from Massachusetts. He attended Okaloosa Applied Technology School and was scheduled to graduate in December as a welder. He also attended St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Mr. Corey is survived by his wife, Sherry M. Corey; son, John Manuel Corey; three daughters, Breana Rochelle Corey, Sebrina Maria Corey and Summer Lynn Corey, all of Shalimar; his parents, Roger E. Corey and Jean L. Corey of Massachusetts; brother, Randall R. Corey of Massachusetts; sister, Tina Sharkey of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; father and mother-in-law, John M. Ayotte and Ysabell Ayotte of Fort Walton Beach; sister-in-law, Judy Cragin of Fort Walton Beach; six nieces and nephews, Joshua, Zachary, Megan, Courtney, Corey and Madison; and many friends and co-workers.
Funeral services for Mr. Corey will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Those asked to serve as pallbearers are Bobby Roberson, Randall Corey, Nathan Woods, Utah Montana, Chris Terell and Gary Bonnadona.
The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. A rosary service will be conducted at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Scott Corey Memorial Fund, Peoples First Community Bank, 1199 N. Eglin Pkwy., Shalimar, FL 32579.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Richard L. Redner
Richard L. Redner of Pinellas Drive, Crestview, Fla., died at his home Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements by A.C. Baker and Son Funeral Home of Marathon, N.Y.
Charles E. Hamilton Jr.
Charles E. Hamilton Jr., passed away at his home early Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, 1998.
"Charlie," known to his family and friends, was born in South Portland, Maine, and had resided for the past 28 years in Okaloosa County, Fla. He served his country proudly for over 23 years in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. He spent another 23 years working for Vitro/Tracor and a lifetime rooting for the Red Soxs (there's always next year).
Over the years he was involved in Cub Scouts, Little League and bowling leagues, serving as the Vitro/Tracor bowling league president for several years. His greatest joy was having his family around him.
Mr. Hamilton was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. Hamilton and Doris B. Hamilton. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elaine R. Hamilton; son, Charles E. Hamilton III and wife Pamela; son, John K. Hamilton and wife Mari; brother, Warren Hamilton; brother, Clifford Hamilton; and six grandchildren, Charles E. Hamilton IV, Katrina E. Hamilton, Heidi A. Hamilton, Taylor C. Hamilton, Anthony E. Wallis and Kimberly J. Wallis.
A memorial service for Mr. Hamilton will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Charlie would have wanted it to be casual, so dress casual.
The family asks that donations be made to Niceville Sharing and Caring organization; American Cancer Society; Bay Medical Center Hospice; or American Heart Foundation.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
James W. Taylor
James W. Taylor, age 66, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, in a local hospital.
Mr. Taylor was born in Brewton, Ala., on Aug. 16, 1932, but had been a resident of Okaloosa County, Fla., all his life. He was a member of Living Faith Baptist Church in Crestview.
Survivors include his loving wife, Virginia Taylor of Crestview; son, Gregory Lewis Taylor of Crestview; daughter, Sherry Diane Harper of Crestview; brothers, Rayford Taylor and Hilbert Taylor, both of Milton, Fla. He also leaves two grandchildren.
Mr. Taylor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A time of visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, in the chapel of McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Everage officiating. Burial will follow in Liveoak Park Memorial Cemetery in Crestview.
McLaughlin-Aultman Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
James R. Taylor Jr.
Maj. James R. Taylor Jr., U.S. Army retired, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1998.
A decorated veteran of three branches of our Armed Forces and the Department of Defense, Jim served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and witnessing the signing of the peace treaty in Tokyo Bay.
Returning home he married his sweetheart, Sara, and together they had three children: Mona, Jim III and Tara. In 1948, Jim enlisted in the Army, where he remained on active duty until 1966. Through the years he was an infantry combat ground soldier and flew with the Air Force, flying unarmed T-6 planes as a forward air observer, in a company called the Mosquitos during the Korean conflict.
Jim spent 14 years on various tours in Europe with his family during his Army career in counter-intelligence operations. He was a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Army Officer Leadership School, and an honor graduate of the U.S. Army Language School. He retired in 1966 and began his career in the Department of Defense, where he served as an Army civilian intelligence officer. He was responsible for counter-intelligence and also contributed to two sophisticated air weapons - the Blackhawk and Apache attack helicopters. Jim's highest ranking in the Army was that of major. As a civilian he was elevated to GS-16 before retiring in 1987 to Niceville, Fla., with his wife of 52 years, Sara.
Jim continued to serve his community as a volunteer at Twin Cities Hospital. He was the president of the hospital auxiliary, and volunteered in the Senior Friends Office and served as historian for the Eglin Federal Civilian Retiree Association. He also served as assistant state coordinator for AARP (55-ALIVE). He was a member of The Retired Officers' Association (TROA).
Jim also had a distinguished leisure career for 20 years as a professional square and round dance caller and teacher in Europe and the United States. He was an avid golfer until his failing health precluded his participation.
He is survived by his wife, Sara of Niceville; children, Mona and husband Mac Caruthers of Vienna, Va.; son, Jim III and wife Edie of Orlando, Fla.; daughter, Tara L. Taylor of Niceville; granddaughters, Sara, Jane and Erin of Orlando; sister, Betty Ann Keavney and husband Jim of Leesburg, Va.; brothers, Mickey Taylor and wife Kathy of Mississippi, and Jimmy Pugh of West Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In celebration of this amazing man's life and legacy, his family invites friends and relatives to join with them at a memorial service, with full military honors, at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville, at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 222 N.E. Hospital Drive, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
