PR102250 16A Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, May 14, 2024 BOULA, Marilyn USMC 75, of Hernando, died April 29, 2024. Veterans Funeral Care THARP, Charles H. USN (Ret.) 96, of Summer- field, died May 5, 2024. Private burial in Florida National Cemetery. Chas.
E. Davis THARP, Patricia D. 97, of Summerfield, died May 4, 2024. Cremation with care, private burial in Florida National Cem- etery with loving hus- band. Chas.
E. Davis EARL, Jeanne E. 79, of Spring Hill, died May 9, 2024. Jeanne is survived by her loving family. Grace Memorial Hudson ASHMAN, Richard Gene Sr.
USN (Ret.) 74, retired Flori- da Power employee and Navy veteran passed April 29, 2024 in Dunnellon, Flori- da. Lifetime member of VFW and 32nd Degree Mason. He was prede- ceased by mother, Don- na S. Willison. He is sur- vived by his wife, Jane Matthews Ashman; daughter, Sandy; son, Spike; sister, Pamela Crawford; grandchildren, nieces, nephews.
Ar- rangements by Roberts Funeral Home Dunnel- lon; Roberts Funeral Home www.robertsofdunnellon.com CASTILLO, Enedino "Dino" 52, of Plant City, FL, peacefully passed away on May 7, 2024. HopewellFuneral.com COOK, Agnes Virginia 95, of Trinity, died May 6, 2024. Survived by loving family. Garden of Memories FH FINLASON, Ela M. passed April 26, 2024 in her sleep, six days af- ter her 94th birthday.
She was a powerhouse trapped in the body of a tiny wom- an. She raised her chil- dren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren well into her 70s. She loved flowers and that love showed in her meticu- lously kept yard. Anyone who came to visit com- mented on the lush beauty she nutured. Ela started walking for fit- ness back in the early and she continued to walk daily for deca- des.
She even earned a medal in the Gasparilla Distance Classic when she was in her 70s! Ela was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dickey and her brothers and sisters. She is sur- vived by her children, Richard, Yvonne and Jackie; her grandchil- dren, Felix, Carly, Erin, Sean, Will and Sam; and her great-grandchildren, Arianna, Rocco, Hailey, Chloe, Ella and Noah. There will be no service. If you would like to hon- or her, plant a flower in her name. HELLEN, Christina M.
68, of Lutz, Florida, died April 30, 2024. Florida Mortuary HUTTON, Ruth A. 94, of Valrico, died May 12, 2024. Survived by her loving family. For services go to SouthernFuneralCare.com LEMMONS, Ray Sr.
77, of Odessa, died May 7, 2024. Survived by partner Lynn; five chil- dren; seven grandchil- dren; one great-grand- child. Dobies FH LEVENS, Ernest US Army 69, of Tam- pa, died April 3, 2024. Veterans Funeral Care MARROQUIN, Zacarias 86, of Tampa, died May 2, 2024. Zacarias will forever be loved and missed.
Veterans Funeral Care RIGGS, Patricia Bynum 98, passed away on April 20, 2024 in Tampa, FL. Pat was born July 13, 1925, in Henryetta, Oklahoma to Grover Lafayette and Lady Clare Bynum. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1947, where she was an active member and president of her be- loved sorority, Delta Gamma. She was awarded the Female Stu- dent of the Year Award in 1946 and earned a of Science in 1951. After graduating, she became an Instructor of Biological Science at Fort Hays Kansas State College.
In 1952, she married Carl D. Riggs, a Zoologist, at the University of Oklahoma. Together, they raised four children and founded the University of Oklahoma Biological Station where they spent many summers. Their youngest daughter, Catherine, had Down Syndrome, which inspired her lifelong advocacy for citizens with disabilities. Catherine fondly referred to her mother as Majesty.
In the 1970s, Oklahoma Governor Bartlett appointed her to the Oklahoma Committee for Mental Health and Retardation. She served on ad- vocacy boards throughout her life in both Oklahoma and Florida. Pat held lead- ership and board positions with Delta Gamma House Corporation, Mortar Board Alumni Association, PEO, the YWCA, First Presbyterian Church of Norman, and the Oklahoma Association for Retarded Citizens. She served as President of the Board of the Norman Day School for Handicapped Children and in Tampa as Chairperson for the District Mental Health Board. She volunteered for Florida Special Olympics, HARC, McClain, and Tampa General Hospital.
Pat and Carl moved to Tampa, Florida, in 1971 when Carl became Academic Vice President at the University of South Florida. She continued her advocacy work for children with developmental disabilities, serving as Chairperson for the District Mental Health Board and cohosting the first Special Olympics on campus. She was awarded the Women of Distinction Award in 1990 from the West Central Council of the Girl Scouts. For 12 years, she taught biology at Tampa Preparatory School and became Faculty Emeritus in 1993. At Tampa Prep, she started the Key Club to encourage leadership through serving others, which continues to be the largest club on campus today.
She was also known by her students and colleagues for the seasonal fruit flies that invaded the Science classrooms after her labs! Pat is preceded in death by her husband, Carl; and daughter, Catherine. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Johnson (Dana); her son, Dan Riggs (Debbie); and her son, Jeff Riggs (Stacey). Pat staunchly believed in education and taught her grandaughters that women should be empowered and educated. She loved to talk and loved knowing things about people. Her interrogations are legendary.
Her four grandchildren Clare Johnson, Sophia Johnson, Sarah Riggs Johnson, and Travis Riggs remember her for her unlimited Klondike Bars, for- bidden pink carpet, love for rules and accounting, and the family gatherings around brown Her four great-grandbabies, Jasper Johnson, Sailor Johnson, Marlon Grant-Riggs, and Isla Grant-Riggs brought her delight in her fi- nal years. She is also survived by her sister, Elinor White and many nieces and nephews. Her family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Renaissance North Tampa, especially for their loving and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be made to Tampa Preparatory School or McClain Inc. Services will be private.
DUNLAP, Patricia "Ann" Varn passed away May 9, 2024. She was born born October 13, 1938 to Leamon Quitman Varn, and Irene Kimbrough Varn. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, George Olin "Buddy" Dun- lap, son, George Olin "Little Buddy" Dunlap III; sister, Beth McCoy, and brother, Leamon Varn. Carrying on her legacy are her children, Todd Edward Dunlap (Lori), and Connie Dunlap-Gage; grandchildren, Meagan Rayfield (Josh), Cloe Smaldone, Alex Smaldone, Stephen Smaldone and Nicholas Todd Dunlap (Mi- chelle); great-grandsons, Bradley and Brayden Rayfield and Owen Dunlap. She loved music and loved to accompany her husband, sister, and brother-in- law at the Hill Top Lounge in Brooksville, while the grandkids got to spend time with "Mema." Family holiday get-togethers were one of her favorite things to do.
Ann was a true "Patriot" when it came to her Southern Heritage. She loved vol- unteering at the polling places during election season and did that for over 25 years. Voting was very important to her, as was stressing the importance of do- ing so. family was her life. She loved planning for holidays and loved to cook for family and friends and got great joy out of working in her yard, tending to her flowers and plants.
Ann loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren and was the best Meme and Granny any child could have. Ann loved the beach and taking all the grandchildren every summer for a week. Ann was a member of Colonial Dames 17th Century, Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution-DeSoto Chapter, Magna Charta, Plantagenets, French Huguenots Society, USD 1812, DAC, and LAMPlighters. She was past president of Roose- velt PTA, active in the Plant High School PTA, and a member of Palma Ceia Methodist Church. Ann attended Hernando High School in Brooksville, where she was a cheerlead- er and the 1955 Homecoming Queen.
She graduated from H.B. Plant High School. Ann also had the honor of being a Weeki Wachee Mermaid in her teen- age years. Her love for her grandchildren will be forever remembered. She always had ice cream in her freezer whenever she knew they were coming.
The family would like to thank the nurses at Bayshore Pointe, Amy, Megan, Daina, and reception- ist, Izzy for always welcoming us with a smile every day even when they knew how rough things were. In lieu of flowers, Ann asked for donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Joshua House, and LAMPlighters of Tampa Bay. A visitation for Patricia will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 10 am to 11 am at Blount Curry Life Event Center, 605 S. MacDill Tampa, Florida 33609. A Celebration of Life will occur Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 11 am at 605 S.
MacDill Tampa, Florida 33609. A graveside service will follow at 1:30 pm at Brooksville Cemetery, 1275 Olmes Brooksville, FL 34601. Serving as pallbearers are Alex Smaldone, Tom Smaldone, Stephen Smaldone, Nick Dunlap, Josh Rayfield and Todd Dunlap. Blount Curry MacDill McLAUGHLIN, Kevin USN 66, of Tampa, died March 27, 2024. Kevin is loved and missed deep- ly.
Veterans Funeral Care PLASTIC, Phillip G. It is with profound sadness that the Plastic fami- ly announ- ces the passing of Phillip G. Plastic. Phil transiti oned to be with Jesus peacefully on April 16, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He fought a courageous battle with and T-cell Lymphoma.
Full obituary and guestbook at: www.cremationstampa.com ROUZER, William USAF 89, of Land Lakes, died April 24, 2024. Veterans Funeral Care RYAN, Sara 35, of Brandon, died April 12, 2024. Sara will forever live in the hearts of those who love her. Veterans Funeral Care WHITE, William "Will" Seale Jr. a away April 19, 2024, in Tampa, FL.
Will was a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was a gradu- ate of Chamberlain Academy and attended USF. Will had a success- ful career, with the high- light being his 15 years at New York Life. He was a pioneer on the annui- ties team and retired in 2018, holding the record for the highest annuity sold. A man of great in- tellect and compassion, Will was known for his ability to see the good in everyone.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 15 years, Candy; his sis- ter, Christine Cameron (Mark) of Flagstaff, and his trio of furball conspirators, Simon, Mabel, and Buster; his mother-in-law, Linda Tremblay; sister-in-law, Jennifer Bristol (Carl); his nieces, Samantha (Skylar) and Madison (Austin). Will was pre- ceded in death by his fa- ther, William White, and his mother, Catherine Bonhagen. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Brandon Christian Church at 11 am. CARTER, Dashaunt Thomas 51, of Bradenton, died May 8, 2024. Survived by loving family.
Abbey Affordable Cremation COOPER, David Charles 82, of Clearwater, died May 7, 2024. Survived by loving family. Abbey Affordable DECHIARA, Robert US Army 87, of Clearwater, died April 29, 2024. Robert will be loved and missed always. Veterans Funeral Care ESPITIA, Pedro 81, of Palm Harbor, died April 27, 2024.
Pedro is greatly loved and missed deeply. Best Care Cremation SP97103 Obituary Policy The Tampa Bay Times offers free, five-line obituary notices to our readers who have lost loved ones. They may choose to purchase additional lines. Family members also may now publish more personal information, a photo of their loved one, funeral service details and emblems to recognize affiliations. Obituaries are published 7 days a week at tampabay.com/ obits or in the Tampa Bay Times.
An online guestbook is included in all paid obituary notices for 30 days. Your funeral home will help you write and submit your obituary as part of their service or you may submit your obituary to our web portal at tampabay. Should you have questions or need assistance you may contact the obituary desk between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 727-893-8518. You will receive a proof by e-mail.
Memorials and Tributes, or Card of Thanks notices, appear on the obituary pages under separate headings. Typically, families that want to remember the departed-on birthdays, or anniversaries of the death, or to publicly thank someone for helping at this difficult time, place these notices. Stainless Steel. Full-color UV inks. Keepsake Bookmark tampabay.com/keepsake Remembering BY TARA COPP Associated Press WASHINGTON At the apartment door where a Florida deputy shot and killed Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a small shrine is growing with the tributes from the Air Force unit grappling with his loss.
There is a long wooden plank, anchored by two sets of aviator wings, and a black marker for mourners to leave prayers and remem- brances for the 23-year-old. One visitor left an open Stella Artois beer. Oth- ers left combat boots, bou- quets and an American flag. Shells from 105mm and 30mm rounds like those that Fortson handled as a gunner on the AC-130J special operations aircraft stand on each side of the door the empty 105mm shell is filled with flowers. Then the quarter.
In military tradition, quarters are left quietly and often anonymously if a fel- low service member was there at the time of death. The 1st Special Opera- tions Wing in the Florida Panhandle, where Fortson served, took time from nor- mal duties Monday to pro- cess his death and turn attention inward, use small group discus- sions, allow voices to be heard, and connect with the Wing said in a statement. In i i forums, a heated debate has spilled out in the week since Fortson was shot: Did police have the right apart- ment? A caller reported a domestic disturbance, but Fortson was alone. Why would the deputy shoot so quickly? Why would the police kill a service mem- ber? There are also questions about whether race played a role because Fortson was Black, and echoes of the police killing of George Floyd. Fortson was holding his legally owned gun when he opened his front door, but it was pointed to the floor.
Based on body cam- era footage released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff Office, the deputy only com- manded Fortson to drop the gun after he shot him. The sheriff has not released the race of the deputy. know our Air Com- mandos are seeing the grow- ing media coverage and are having conversations on what Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, head of Air Force Special Operations Command, said in a message to unit leaders last week.
He urged those leaders to listen with an effort to understand their troops. In 2020, after death, then-Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kaleth O. Wright wrote an emotional note to his troops about police kill- ings of Black men and chil- dren: am a Black man who happens to be the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. I am George Floyd I am Philando Castile, I am Michael Brown, I am Alton Sterling, I am Tamir Questions, grief linger at door where a deputy killed a US airman Associated Press A small shrine is pictured Monday at the door to the apartment in Fort Walton Beach where a Florida deputy shot and killed Senior Airman Roger Fortson.
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