GULF HIGH SCHOOL

Obituaries

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GAWLE, MARCIN, 21, of Port Richey, died Sunday (May 11, 2003) in Hillsborough County. He came here nine years ago from his native Debica, Poland. He was a cook for Plaka restaurant in Tarpon Springs. He was Roman Catholic and a member of Mercy of God Polish Mission. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Jadwiga and Joseph Zawadzki, both of Port Richey; two brothers, Piotr, St. Petersburg, and Aleksander, New Port Richey; and his grandmother, Janina Maron, Debica. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

GEORGE, DIANE (DEE DEE), 34, of 1803 Mulberry St., Tampa, died Friday (Jan. 9, 1987). Born in St. Petersburg, She was a bartender and a 1970 graduate of Gulf High School. Survivors include a daughter Sundea Larocca, Tampa; her parents, Howard and Vickie George, Holiday; her brother David, Calif., and two sisters, Sandy Matthews, Palm Harbor, and Marcia George, West Orange, N.J. North Funeral Homes, Holiday.

GLAVICH, JACK "POPSIE," 85, of Dade City, died Tuesday (May 4, 2004) at home. Born in Chadburn, N.C., he came to Florida in 1922. He was a 1939 graduate of Gulf High School. He was a Navy veteran serving on Liberty Ships as an armed guard during World War II in the European Theatre. He was a retired master fitter with Plant City Steel. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dade City. He served as both deacon and Sunday school teacher. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Lillie; two sons, James and Steve, both of Dade City; two daughters, Sheila Stahl, Augusta, Ga., and Sharon Scheffer, Brooksville; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Hodges Family Funeral Home, Dade City.

GOLEBIEWSKI, DANIEL, 52, of New Port Richey, died Thursday (April 3, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, New Port Richey. He came here 35 years ago from his native Michigan City, Ind. He was a roofing business construction worker and an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a basketball player for Gulf High School. Survivors include his brother, David, Hudson; and a nephew, Michael, Knoxville, Tenn. Prevatt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Hudson.

GOODMAN, ROSCOE L., 56, of Tarpon Springs, formerly of Hudson, died Monday (March 6, 1995). He was born in Hudson and was a senior analyst for GTE, Tampa. Survivors include a son, Bain, Lucedale, Miss.; two daughters, Linda Hughes, New Port Richey, and Sheri Santana, Tampa; a sister, Marinell, Dade City; a brother, R. C. Ellis, Gainesville; and four grandchildren. Vinson Funeral Home, Tarpon Springs. [GHS '57]

GORDON, LANCELOT A., 19, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (Jan. 22, 1992) in Gainesville. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he came here six months ago from Newark, N.J. He was a student at Gulf High School, New Port Richey, and a Presbyterian. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gordon, New Port Richey; two brothers, Hugh Chin, Virginia Beach, Va., and Eric Gordon, New Port Richey; a sister, Enid, New Port Richey; his paternal grandfather, Eric, Kingston; and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Williams, Kingston. Michels-Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

GREY, BILL, 53, died Sunday night, January 29 [1978], of an apparent heart attack at this home in the Hillandale subdivision outside of New Port Richey. Mr. Grey was at one time Mayor of New Port Richey from December 1969 to December 1971, and as his platform, spoke in favor of increased taxes and development of a plan to provide more freshwater to the city. Mr. Grey disturbed other politicians with his unorthodox behavior in an election year, concerning the increase in taxes, but he was always considered very outspoken and open with his beliefs. A funeral mass will be held for Mr. Grey today at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Reverend. Aiden Foynes and the Reverend Donald Baiser the Celebrants. Mr. Grey was the son of a pioneer family, and was reared in the New Port Richey area. Prominent in civic affairs, Mr. Grey served as a councilman on the Port Richey city council before becoming Mayor of New Port Richey. Mr. Grey was divorced from his wife several years, but lived in Hillandale with his son Willie. Bill Grey and his brother Jim were two of the area's first real estate developers with the subdivisions Golden Acres, Citrus Terrace, Pine Acres, Sunshine Ranches, and Tropic Shores. Only in recent years had Mr. Grey worked in the development of Hillandale and an extension of Golden Acres. Mr. Grey graduated from Gulf High School, was a Navy Veteran of WWII, a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Suncoast Aeria 3153, Moose Lodge, 1747 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chester McKay Post 7987. He was a vice-president of Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens, director of Ellis First National Bank, director of Swartsel Builders Inc., past president of the Pasco Board of Realtors, past president of the West Pasco Little League and a former trustee at West Pasco Hospital. Mr. Grey is survived by his son, William M., New Port Richey; three daughters, Carol Glaves and Casey Grey, both of New Port Richey and Susan Grey of Atlanta; a brother James E. and a grandson, Troy Glaves, both of New Port Richey. The family requests that all donations be sent to the Florida Sheriff's Boys Ranch and Girls Villa, the New Port Richey Library or the West Pasco Little League. Burial will be in Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens.

GRIMES, ANDY. Andy Grimes was born without legs, but that didn't stop him from dreaming about playing football. In his 17 years, the youth managed to show courage while facing misfortune. In 1985, he followed his dream and tried out for the Gulf High junior varsity football team. On Wednesday, while fishing with his grandfather and uncle in a boat off Anclote Point, Andy was struck by lightning. He died several hours later at a hospital. The teen-ager, who dropped out of Gulf High School last year, was hit as the three fishermen brought their 14-foot skiff in around Anclote Point to avoid the coming rain. Andy loved to fish - even if it was often a bit of an ordeal being lifted into and out of the boat. On Wednesday, the fish weren't biting, and an angry storm cloud suddenly moved overhead. As the Rev. L.A. Grimes, a 54-year-old Holiday resident, pulled his church van around to the boat ramp to pick up his grandson, who was not using his wheelchair or artificial legs, a bolt of lighting struck the young man. It was a sudden, bizarre end to the life of the young man, an aspiring football player who, his family now says, knew in his heart that without legs, he didn't have much of a chance. But the mourning family was still mostly confounded by the odd nature of the tragedy. "The most freak thing I ever saw," the Rev. Grimes said Friday. The lightning shock rendered the teen-ager unconscious. The pastor, with the help of his son-in-law, Jim Barbee, 38, and some passers-by, loaded Andy into the van, and sped to Tarpon Springs General Hospital. The youth was revived briefly after entering the emergency room, but he died hours later in the intensive care unit from a cardiac arrest. According to the report from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the lightning emerged from the youth's upper left thigh. "It would have been a miracle if he'd lived, and the doctors said he'd have been a vegetable if he had," said the Rev. Grimes, pastor of the Trinity Fellowship Church in Holiday. Family members recalled Andy as a cheerful young man whom people loved to be with, someone who adjusted well to several moves, first from his native Alabama in 1983, then from Tarpon Springs to New Port Richey 18 months later. They also said that peers admired his courage in trying to overcome his handicap, and that he was especially popular on Friday nights at a New Port Richey ice-skating rink. But the family also revealed a solitary and sullen side of the teen-ager. The youth dropped out of Gulf High just over a year ago, depressed over his failure to make the football team, his mother, Linda Grimes, said. They let him practice, but told him he couldn't join the team because of his grades, she said. It was a particularly severe blow, his grandfather said, because Andy had attracted wide attention in local newspapers for his attempts to join the team. In an interview with the St. Petersburg Times in May 1985, Andy's father, Eldon Grimes, said he was disappointed when his son was born that he might not grow up to be a football player. Since leaving school, Linda Grimes said, her son mostly stayed around the house, went fishing and talked occasionally about finding a job. "He wanted to work badly, but couldn't find anything he could do, without any legs and all," she said. The pastor said Andy had spoken with him about eventually taking a high-school equivalency exam, and studying to be a computer programmer. "It's so unfair," his mother said. "I can hardly believe it. He was such a good kid." Andy Grimes' survivors include his parents, Eldon and Linda Grimes; two brothers, Randall and Eldon, both of New Port Richey; his paternal grandparents, the Rev. L.A. and Alta Grimes, Holiday, and his maternal grandparents, Wendell and Norma Mesecher, Holiday. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home in Holiday. Newspaper article, July 4, 1987.

HARTSFIELD, JAMES MATTHEW, "MATT," 21, of New Port Richey, died Friday (Nov. 21, 1997) as the result of an automobile accident. Born in Atlanta, he came here 13 years ago from Mobile, Ala. He was a machine operator for Golden Eagle Satellite Archery, Odessa, and a Presbyterian. Survivors include his father, James Richard Hartsfield, Tampa; his mother, Jane S. Nelson, New Port Richey; a brother, Byron Jason, Tampa; his paternal grandparents, James L. and Martha Hartsfield, Cairo, Ga.; and a companion, Meadow Jean Jacobs, New Port Richey. Michels-Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

HENDERSON, ROSCOE BUSH, 91, of Misenheimer, N.C., formerly of Hudson, died Thursday (June 4, 1998) at Stanly Memorial Hospital, Albermarle, N.C. Born in Hudson, he moved to Misenheimer from New Port Richey. He was the retired owner and operator of Roscoe's Rexall Drugs, New Port Richey. He was a Mason and the organizer and a founding member of the Elks Lodge, New Port Richey. Survivors include two brothers, John M., Misenheimer, and Homer Cecil, Winter Haven; a niece; and a nephew. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Congress Street Chapel, New Port Richey.

HENDRY, WILLIAM W., 68, of Bayonet Point, died Wednesday (May 4, 1994) at home. Born in Fort Myers, he came here 20 years ago from Boise, Idaho. He was an English teacher at Gulf High School and a member of First Baptist Church, both in New Port Richey, and was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Airplane Modelers Association. Survivors include his wife, Stella; two sons, the Rev. William W. II, Memphis, Tenn., and Capt. Robert, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; a sister, Kathryn Sandige, Fort Myers; and seven grandchildren. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

HENRICKSON, ERIC CARTER, 51, Fergus Falls, died suddenly on Friday, April 7, 2006, at his home. He was born April 2, 1955, in Minneapolis, the son of Everett and Nancy (Peterson) Henrickson. He was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Deerwood and confirmed at King of Glory Lutheran Church in New Port Richey, Fla. He moved with his family to Florida in 1963, where he attended Rio Vista Elementary School in St. Petersburg and graduated in 1973 from Gulf High School in New Port Richey. Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country at Fort Riley, Kansas, achieving the rank of E-4 Specialist. During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal as well as recognition as a Marksman. He was honorably discharged in 1975 and subsequently moved to Brainerd where he earned his Licensed Nurse Practitioner certificate and worked as a behavior analyst at the Brainerd State Hospital. He returned to Florida in 1978 and worked at Anclote Manor in Tarpon Springs until joining the staff of Peniel Christian School in Spring Valley, Wis., as a counselor and teacher in 1980. In 1981, he met Rene Newton of Toledo, Ore. They were married in 1983 and together settled in Fergus Falls, where he undertook religious and pastoral studies at the Lutheran Brethren Seminary. In 1985, he and his family moved to northern Florida where he worked in various sales and retail marketing ventures. His true calling in life was the ministry. In fact, his family motto was, "The Henricksons - Changing America one kid at a time." From 1991 to 1997, he lived this motto in many ways, including returning to Peniel as its assistant director from 1991 to 1993, and again from 1995 to 1997; and assisting troubled teenagers at the Boys Ranch Texas from 1993 to 1995. In 1997, Eric and his family returned to Fergus Falls to complete his seminary studies. While in seminary he served as youth minister for Zion-Sarpsborg, Tordenskjold and Kvam churches in the Dalton area. He also earned his nursing assistant certificate and worked locally at Broen Memorial Home and Lake Region Hospital before taking on the responsibilities of foster parenting in 2004. Most recently, he earned his certification from the Stephen Ministry program in Christian care giving. Eric’s life was guided by his service to God, and the following passage inspired him in his daily work: "I have great worth apart from my performance because Christ gave His life for me, and therefore, imparted great value to me. I am deeply loved, fully pleasing, totally forgiven, accepted, and complete in Christ." Eric was preceded in death by his mother Nancy Henrickson and his brother-in-law James Owen. He is survived by his wife Rene; daughters Rebekah, Erika and Jessika; and foster children, Ashley and Levi, all of Fergus Falls; father Everett and stepmother Lina Henrickson of Graceville, Fla.; sisters Cindy (Jim) Seletos of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Laurie Owen of Baxter; and Rose (Perry) Wainman of Greencastle, Ind.; father-in-law, Butch and mother-in-law, Betty Newton of Toledo, Ore.; sister-in-law Rachelle (Walt) Durgeloh of Vancouver, Wash.; sister-in-law Rhonda Greene of Albany, Org.; brother-in-law Ryan (Charlene) Newton of Springfield, Ore.; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends in Christ. Visitation: Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls. Clergy: Revs. Ed Monson and David Foss. Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls Funeral home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls. [Fergus Falls Daily Journal]

HICKMAN, BENJAMIN LAMAR. AUSTIN, TX - Benjamin LaMar Hickman, 32, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2007. Benjamin was born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and grew up in Florida. He was currently living in Austin, TX with his wife and daughter. He is survived by his wife, Sadie Hickman of Austin; a daughter, Jessalyn Alexis Hickman, of Austin; parents, Marvin and Patsy Hickman of New Port Richey, Fla.; a sister, Amanda Murphy and husband, Matt Murphy, of New Port Richey, Fla.; nieces, Savannah Stacy, Cara Murphy and Sara Murphy of New Port Richey, Fla.; grandparents, Eloise Chappell and the late William Chappell of Ash, N.C. and Wallace Hickman and the late Ruth C. Hickman of Hickmans Crossroads, Ash, N.C.; and aunts, uncles and cousins that loved him dearly. Also “surviving” Benjamin are five organ recipients that received their gift of hope on June 7, 2007. Our loss is lessened knowing that these families will have the opportunity of a better life. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2007, in Brunswick Funeral Service Chapel, Shallotte, N.C. Please sign a guest book at MyrtleBeachOnline.com. Memorials may be directed to the Epilepsy Foundation, 8301 Professional Place, Landover, MD 20785, or Jessalyn Hickman, c/o Raymond James, 100 North Tampa Street, Suite 2400, Tampa FL 33602. Arrangements are entrusted to Brunswick Funeral Home. [A guestbook is here.]

HICKS, ROBERT K., 55, of New Port Richey, died Saturday (April 13, 1991) at home. He came here in 1971 from his native Akron, Ohio. A graduate of the University of Akron, he taught Latin and humanities at Gulf High School. He was an Army veteran. Survivors include his mother, Edith Hicks, Holiday; and a brother, Charles, Akron. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday.

HITE, DENNIS JOSEPH, 16, of New Port Richey, died Friday (July 23, 1999) as the result of an automobile accident. He was born in Orlando and was a lifelong resident of New Port Richey. He was a senior and member of the ROTC at Gulf High School, a cashier for Seven Springs Winn-Dixie, an instructor and second-degree black belt at Ingram's Professional Karate Center, New Port Richey, and a Baptist. Survivors include his parents, Damon and Cindy Hite, and a sister, Chelsie Hite, all of New Port Richey; and his paternal grandparents, Joe and Nell Hite, Fort Pierce. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, New Port Richey Chapel.

HOLLEY, RICH. To his longtime friends, Rich Holley was a passionate man who could do just about anything and already had done a lot. He was a successful businessman, an avid boater and pilot and a nationally recognized leader in the jukebox and arcade-game industry. He also was a former math teacher, soccer coach and professional musician. Holley was so meticulous that the tools, bolts and screws in the garage of his Palm Harbor home were as organized as those in a hardware store. That's why friends are puzzled as to what could have caused his single-engine 1969 Beechcraft Bonanza plane to crash this weekend. "I'm sure that plane would have never left the ground if he had any doubts," said Paul Virgadamo of New Port Richey, a former business partner who has known him for about 25 years. Holley, 58, took off from the North Captiva Island airstrip about 3:30 p.m. Friday for a 15-minute flight to Fort Myers. He never made it. His body was found inside the wreckage of the small plane Saturday morning about a mile east of where it had departed. The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into the crash. A federal investigator will go through the wreckage, which has been taken to an airport in Fort Lauderdale, and the medical examiner's report to look for clues, said the agency's Southeast regional director, Jeff Kennedy. Friends describe Holley as the type of guy who recited lines from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at a reception in London, delighting anyone within earshot. He also was the type to play a prank on a fellow teacher by faking a love note and placing it in her school mailbox. "He was truly a fascinating and passionate guy, and there was never any ambiguity about Rich," said Jack Kelleher, executive vice president of the Chicago-based Amusement and Music Operators Association. "You always knew where he was coming from and where he was going. He lived life to the fullest." Holley was a member of that organization for more than 20 years and became its president last September. He was a driven leader and a staunch supporter of the coin-operated video and music equipment industry, Kelleher said. Holley was named "Operator of the Year" by a trade publication in 2000. He also started an industry garage band called the Coin Drops, which made its debut at a Las Vegas trade show in September. He played the keyboard and guitar. "When you would be at a meeting and there was an impasse, people would look to him for guidance," Kelleher said. "And on a personal level, people enjoyed being around Rich Holley because you knew certainly that there was never a dull moment." Holley was born in Trinidad, where his father worked for an oil company. He moved to the United States after graduating from high school. He played in a band while attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, where he received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He was drawn to Florida because of the water and moved there in 1975 with his wife, Bev, after he graduated from college. He worked for an electronics company that made copiers and converted microfiche into electronic images. When the company tried to relocate him to Chicago, Holley and his wife decided to stay in Florida. After trying his hand at other jobs, Holley taught math and coached soccer at Gulf High School in New Port Richey in the late 1970s. There, he met Virgadamo, who was the assistant principal at the school. Both of them owned arcades in Pasco County and decided to join forces. They formed the Southeast Game Brokers, a risky venture that paid off. After classes let out for the day, both would take jukeboxes and arcade games to bowling lanes and truck stops. "When he put his mind to something, it was going to be done," Virgadamo said. Virgadamo and Holley eventually went their separate ways professionally, with Virgadamo starting another company and Holley and his wife keeping Southeast Game Brokers. But they stayed friends and often spoke to each other a few times a day. "We were like brothers," Virgadamo said. Holley was an instrument-rated pilot who loved to fly, Virgadamo said. He also loved to go boating and fishing and recently made a CD of himself playing songs. "It sounded incredible," Virgadamo said. "When I tell you he could do anything, he could do anything. There was no stopping him." Holley was fascinated by magic and could entertain and mystify others with card tricks and his ability to make things disappear, Kelleher said. He also was a fan of technology, whether it was on his personal computer, his plane or musical instruments. "In an industry that sometimes is a bit slow to embrace change, he was the champion of it," Kelleher said. "Really, he was a unique guy who just had a major impact. His passing will be missed by many people for a long time." [St. Petersburg Times, Mar. 4, 2003]

JOHNSON, JAMES J., 27, of Tarpon Springs, died Friday (Aug. 2, 2002) of injuries sustained when he was hit by a car while walking on U.S. 19 near Nursery Road. He was born in Spain and came here in 1986 from Novato, Calif. He worked as a radiology technician and was a member of St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church, Tarpon Springs. Survivors include his mother, Remedios Johnson, Tarpon Springs; his father, James,; a sister, Jessie Johnson, Tarpon Springs; and his paternal grandparents, Dorothy and Jerry Johnson, Stow, Ohio. Trinity Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

JONES, ARTHUR JR., of Port Richey, died Thursday (Feb. 25, 1999) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. He came here 33 years ago from his native Live Oak. He was a construction worker and a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church, Port Richey. He was a 1973 graduate of Gulf High School and a member of its varsity football team. Survivors include four sons, Emanuel J. and Arthur III, both of Port Richey, Gabriel, Tarpon Springs, and Arthonio, Clearwater; five daughters, Centrell Watson, Kansas City, Kan., Fallon Jones, Ebony Jones and Joanna Jones, all of Tarpon Springs, and Makia Jordan, Port Richey; his mother, Myrtis, Port Richey; three brothers, Dean C., Algie L. and Alvin T., all of Port Richey; six sisters, Helen Crawford, Yokota, Japan, Ruthie M. Jones, Glenda L. Jones, Alma L. Jones, and Carolyn E. Jones, all of Port Richey, and Deniece E. Samuel, Yuma, Ariz.; and a granddaughter. Young's Funeral Home, Clearwater.

JORDON, ELIZABETH V., 74, of Holiday, died Monday (Feb. 20, 1989) at Morton M. Plant Hospital. Born in Hicksville, N.Y., she came here 16 years ago from East Meadow, N.Y., and was a retired attendant for Gulf High School. She was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband, Hugh; three sons, Andrew Blazo, Holiday, Jimmy, Hicksville, and Thomas, Corpus Christi, Texas; a brother, Francis Molliton, Holiday; two sisters, Cecelia Malphruf, Holiday, and Jennie McEwen, Mineola, N.Y.; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Holiday.

KESSEL, O'CALLAGHAN, 35, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2005 in his home surrounded by his entire family. He had brain tumors that were discovered on October 20. Cal attended Gulf High school from 1984-1988. Cal was a special person, spreading happiness to all he met. Many knew him for his "infectious" smile. He was a shining star at Gulf High School, walking from table to table in the lunchroom, chatting with everyone. He was also well known for holding the position as "Team Manager" for the soccer team during the years he attended and for several years after, under Coach Barnett. Cal offered nothing but kind words and friendship. He was survived by his parents, five siblings who were all graduates of Gulf High School, five nephews and four nieces. He befriended all, and will be missed greatly.

KILPATRICK, BRENDA, 63, of Lutz, formerly of Pinellas Park, died Monday (June 7, 2004) at University Community Hospital of respiratory complications. She attended Gulf High School in New Port Richey and the business college. She retired from Nations Bank. Survivors include two daughters, Jeannine Medart, Dallas, and Missy Carlson, St. Petersburg; a son, Sean Kilpatrick, St. Petersburg; and five grandchildren. National Cremation Society, Tampa.

KINGSLEY-ROUSSELL, ELIZABETH BETTY, 81, of New Port Richey, died Tuesday (Feb. 24, 2004) at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Kirkland, Ohio, she came here in 1935 then moved to Miami, and moved back to New Port Richey 20 years ago. She was a 1941 graduate of Gulf High School. She was a homemaker, an Avon representative and was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Survivors include a daughter, Anne Cotton, New Port Richey; two sons, Luke N. Roussell III, Winter Park, and David J., Hendersonville, N.C.; a brother, Harland Jay Kingsley Jr., New Port Richey; and five granddaughters. Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

KINNUNEN, JEFFREY SCOTT, 22, of 1115 Jasmine Drive, New Port Richey, died Saturday (Oct. 22, 1988) at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital as the result of an automobile accident. He was a graduate student at Florida State University and had graduated with honors from Gulf High School. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and the Florida State Gold Key Honorary Society. Survivors include his parents, Dr. Niles and Cherry Kinnunen, New Port Richey; a brother, John, New Port Richey; a stepbrother, Scott Dennewitz, New Port Richey; a sister, Carol Kinnunen, Gloucester, Mass.; two stepsisters, Renee Arcarola and Debra Dennewitz, both of New Port Richey; and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Woodward, Germantown, Tenn. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

KIRKMAN, RACHEL HOWELL. According to records of Coleman-Ferguson Funeral Home, Ms. Kirkman was born Jan 27, 1891, and died Oct 31, 1938. Her death was due to blood poisoning. She is buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery. She was a teacher at Gulf High School.

KNOWLES, MELVIN CLAY, SR., aged 88, died peacefully at his home on 25th May (2001), surrounded by his family: Swann, his wife of 58 years, his son, The Rev. Canon Clay Knowles, SSC, of Burgess Hill in England and daughters Mrs. Gayle Davis of Nacogdoches, TX, and Miss Patricia Knowles of Atlanta, GA. He leaves also three sisters, Miss Annie Lou Knowles, Mrs. Marguerite Griffing, and Mrs. Christine Funderburke. He had a fond and abiding interest in his widely scattered, extended family which also includes his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jacqueline Knowles, his son-in-law, Dr. Dudley P. Davis, his grandchildren, Justin and Hilary, Scott and Carl, a great-grandson, Jacob, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Knowles was born on 4th September 1912 in Hudson, FL and attended Gulf High School where he played basketball and captained the schools first football team. He worked in the locality first as a commercial fisherman and then as an accountant with the newly formed W.H. Clark Fruit Co. He moved with the company to Jacksonville in 1938 and continued there until his retirement in 1976. Mr. Knowles was a devoted, longtime member of Riverside Avenue Christian Church, where he had been both a Deacon and an Elder, and had served for many years as Church Treasurer. He was active in the Men of Riverside and was a member of the church choir. He was a member of the Riverside Masonic Lodge 266 (F&AM). A man of great personal warmth, Mr. Knowles will be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched, for his ready and genuine smile, his sweet and gentle disposition and his great and generous heart. The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation for the prayers and practical support so freely given by friends, neighbors and the church family. They are particularly grateful to the staff of St. Vincents Hospital, and to the Violet Team of Northeast Community Hospice for their unstinting care and tireless support throughout Mr. Knowles illness. Funeral arrangements are being handled by HardageGiddens, 729 South Edgewood Avenue. Visitation will be in the Chapel on Tuesday, 29 May from 5:30 until 7:30 pm. The funeral service will be conducted by The Rev. Dr. Richard J. Hull, II, at Riverside Avenue Christian Church on Wednesday 30 May at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations by made to Northeast Florida Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, or to Riverside Avenue Christian Church Building Fund.

KOLAR, CHRISTOPHER ANDREW, 27, of Port Richey, died Friday (June 13, 1997) at Bayfront Medical Center, as the result of an automobile accident. Born in Cleveland, he came here 13 years ago from Bath, Ohio. He was a graphics designer and a member of the International Auto Sound Association. He was a member of the Tampa Bay Aquarium Society and the Suncoast Underwater Photography Club. Survivors include his parents, Norman and Carol; a sister, Jennifer Wilson, Prague; his paternal grandmother, Evelyn, Cleveland; and his maternal grandmother, Miriam Modd, Akron. Michels-Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

KONING, FLORENCE G., 93, of New Port Richey, died Sunday (Feb. 17, 2002) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice Care Center, New Port Richey. He came here 78 years ago from his native Fitchville, Ohio. A 1926 graduate of Gulf High School, he was a retired owner and operator of Koning's Trading Post, New Port Richey, and a founding member of First Church of Christ Scientist. Survivors include his daughter-in-law, Wyona Paul, New Port Richey; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, New Port Richey.

LANE, SEAN A., 26, of New Port Richey, died Thursday (July 22, 2004) at home. He was born in Cleveland and came here 23 years ago from Cincinnati. He was a graduate of Gulf High School and a student at St. Petersburg College. He was a member of First Baptist Church of New Port Richey. Survivors include his daughter, Aspen Lane, and his parents, Les and Donna Lane, all of New Port Richey; a brother, Chris, Orange, Calif.; a sister, Angela Jarvie, Littleton, Colo.; paternal grandmother, Wanda Lane, Davis City, Iowa; maternal grandfather, Frank Venturino, Largo; two nieces and a nephew. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

LANGFORD, LANNY. Officer Lanny Langford (1944 - 1969). Lanny Langford was born in Louisville, Kentucky but moved to Florida at a young age, attending all four years of Gulf High School in New Port Richey. He played football for three of those years and was active in both the band and glee club prior to graduation in 1963. After serving in the Army National Guard and as an officer in the New Port Richey Police Department, he joined the Tarpon Springs Police Department in July of 1969. Officer Langford died from injuries sustained in an on duty traffic accident later that same year.

LaPLANTE, FLORENCE, 75, of New Port Richey, died Friday (April 16, 2004) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in New Port Richey. She came here in 1964 from her native New Castle, Pa. She was a retired teacher from Gulf High School in New Port Richey. She was a member of the Beacon Square Civic Association and Beth El'Shalom Messianic Center. Survivors include her husband, Robert; four daughters, Sonia Truman, Maria Fortner and Billie Kaleel, all of New Port Richey, and Simone King, Fernandina Beach; a brother, Michael Sakelson, Tarpon Springs; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Family Funeral Care, Hudson.

LASHUA, M. K. "LASH," 75, of Palm Harbor, formerly of Clearwater, died Thursday (Oct. 12, 2000) at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. He was born in Leominster, Mass., and came to this area in 1936. He graduated in 1942 from Gulf High School, New Port Richey. He was a Coast Guard veteran of World War II, and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Arizona. He lived in Clearwater for more than 35 years and worked 17 years as an accountant for Baker Industries. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Dunedin North Rotary Club, a former member of Belleair Rotary Club and a past president of Clearwater Evening Sertoma Club. He was active in Elks Lodge 2275, Dunedin. Survivors include his wife, Janette; two sons, Kim A., Sarasota, and Randy H., Tallahassee; a daughter, Cheryl Gordon, Tallahassee; three stepdaughters, Becky Rudman, Palm Harbor, Cindy Petelle, Clearwater, and Jody Peters, Steinhatchee; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Hubbell Funeral Home and Crematory, Belleair Bluffs.

LAUTER, MAGIN. Magin Lauter was an 18-year-old mother of three who collected animals in pain. She nurtured litters of starving kittens. She nursed a maimed finch back to flight, feeding it with an eyedropper. She saw wounded turtles at the side of the road and tried to save the eggs. "She used to drag home anything that was a stray," said Rebecca Christian, her mother. Friday night, riding with a friend down State Road 52 just west of Sugar Creek Boulevard, the teenager from Holiday passed what looked like a hurt owl in the road. It was dark, but Lauter did what she'd done so many times before: She got out to help. That's when a 1996 Toyota pickup coming down the center lane plowed into her from behind. Paramedics flew her to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, but they couldn't save her. Her friend, 23- year-old William Merrell of New Port Richey, went with her onto the road. He suffered serious injuries but survived. "She probably didn't even think twice about it," Christian said of her daughter's attempt to rescue the owl. "It just kinda makes me want to shake my head and say, 'It figures.' " Lauter, who left Gulf High School without graduating to start a family in her mid-teens, leaves behind a 3-year-old daughter, Kayla, and 1-year-old twins, a boy, Mason, and a girl, Madison. Until recently, Magin also took care of two dogs, a cat, a hedgehog and a snake. "Magin was a free spirit. She loved animals. She always brought home cats, snakes, squirrels," said her father, Paul Lauter. "She wanted to rescue them. That was her mission, to rescue them." When her kids got older, her family said, she wanted to be a nurse. She also planned to marry the father of her kids, Roger McQuaig, 21. McQuaig said he isn't sure exactly how to break the awful news to the children, but he plans to say their mother died trying to help an owl. "She just cared," said her brother, Paul Lauter, 23. "She had her hands full. She took on an awful lot for a young lady. In my eyes she gets the utmost respect, to be an 18-year-old raising three babies." Coupled with Magin Lauter's maternal qualities, however, was what family and friends describe as a defiant, headstrong streak - the kind of trait that allowed her to stop traffic in the road if it meant saving a wounded animal. "She made her own rules," her brother said. ''It didn't matter what anybody thought." Added her sister, 28-year-old Lona Lauter: "No one could tell Magin what to do. She did it her way. . . . Her heart drug her out of that car into the road, caring for that bird. The owl was already dead, and she didn't know that." Speaking from his hospital bed Monday night, Merrell, Lauter's friend, said he had two broken legs and a broken pelvis. Just before the pickup struck them, he said, another car swerved and barely missed them in the road. He said he tried to push her to safety. "I tried," he said. "I tried." The Florida Highway Patrol filed no charges against the driver of the pickup, Daniel Lewis, 51, of Port Richey. Magin Lauter's family said she never regained consciousness after the accident and died Sunday morning at the hospital. The family said one of her kidneys went to a child. Knowing that, the family added, helps a little bit. It means her death wasn't pointless. "She was going to save that owl," Lona Lauter said. "She saved a child instead," her father said. St. Petersburg Times, May 26, 1999.

LIGUORI, Inger Montgomery, 42, of Tampa, formerly of New Port Richey, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, October 21, 2006, at Town and Country Hospital, Tampa. Born May 19, 1964, she was a native of Libertyville, Ill., having moved to the area 38 years ago from Chicago, Ill. She was an owner of a blown glass shop on Pier 60 in Clearwater, Fla., as well as an equestrian trainer. She was a member of the U.S. Pony Club, having achieved a B rating. Survivors include her husband, Nick Liguori; parents Harry and Manion Montgomery of New Port Richey, Fla.; two sisters, Alison Crumbley of New Port Richey, Fla., and Melissa Rader of Burr Ridge, Ill.; and a brother, Chris Montgomery of Chicago, Ill. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 25, at Morgan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Port Richey, Fla., with the Rev. Bob Martin officiating. Morgan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 6025 Trouble Creek Road New Port Richey, Fla. (727) 847-3999 www.morganfuneralhome.com [GHS Class of 1982]

LITTELL, BARTOW STUBBS. Plano, Texas - Mr. Bartow "Bart" Stubbs Littell, 96, died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004 at his residence in Plano. He was a native of Hudson, Fla. and a longtime resident of Brewton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ora Mae Littell; a stepson, Earl Fuqua and seven siblings. He was a civil engineer and helped develop the Redstone rocket at Huntsville. He is survived by his sister, Edith Wardlaw of Aripeka, Fla.; brothers, Worth Littell of Aripeka and Sidney Littell of Spring Hill, Fla.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 4 p.m. at the chapel of Craver's Funeral Home. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery with Craver's Funeral Home directing. Brewton Standard, Brewton, Alabama.

LITTEL, GEORGE WILLIAM CORWIN, 89, of Tarpon Springs, formerly of Tampa and Aripeka, died Saturday (March 9, 2002) at Integrated Health Services of Tarpon Springs. He was born in Tampa and lived in Aripeka until he moved in 1940 to Tarpon Springs. He graduated in 1929 from Gulf High School, New Port Richey, where he was played on the school's first football team. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He owned and operated a fishing boat Cristalo and was a fisherman and sponge diver. He was a sergeant on the Tarpon Springs Police Department until he was disabled in an accident. He was Baptist and a 32nd degree Mason and past master of Tarpon Masonic Lodge 112. Survivors include three sons, Bill, Tampa, Christopher, Orlando, and Phillip, Homosassa; three brothers, Bartow, Brewton, Ala., and Sidney and Worth, both of Aripeka; two sisters, Edith Wardlaw and Madelyn McGinley, both of Aripeka; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Vinson Funeral Home, Tarpon Springs.

LONG, LAURA A. CHIEFLAND -- Laura A. Long of Chiefland died Saturday in North Florida Regional Medical Center of a heart attack. She was 38. Mrs. Long was born in Tarpon Springs and moved to Chiefland from Elfers 20 years ago. She graduated from Gulf High School in New Port Richey, and was a cook at Ralph's Burgers in Chiefland. Survivors include her husband, Joe Long of Chiefland; one son, Daniel Riggs of Chiefland; her parents, Philip and Ruth Minton of Chiefland; one brother, Philip L. Minton of Ocala; two sisters, Michele Lynn Minton of Chiefland and Kimberly Minton of Atlanta; and her grandmother, Thelma Krahtz of Chiefland. Expressions of sympathy may be made as donations to the American Cancer Society or by donating a book to a public library. Gainesville Sun, June 12, 2000.

LOVELLE, DAWN C., 34, of Spring Hill, formerly of Holiday, died Monday (Feb. 18, 2002) at home. Born in Oak Park, Ill., she moved to Spring Hill in 1984 from Holiday. She attended Gulf High School and was Roman Catholic. Survivors include her husband, Jeffrey O., a son, Christopher R., and a daughter, Jennifer Lynn, all of Spring Hill; her mother, Joyce Lawrence, Holiday; two brothers, James and Thomas Lawrence, both of New Port Richey; and three sisters, Denise Hanson, Dianne Lawrence and Deanne Williams, all of Port Richey. North/ Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey.

LUCKS, CARL R., 33, of Orlando, formerly of New Port Richey, died Thursday (Nov. 5, 1998) at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Born in Suffern, N.Y., he came here 22 years ago from Long Island, N.Y., and was a hydraulics mechanic for Sim's Cranes, Orlando. He served in the Air Force and was a graduate of Gulf High School. He was a Lutheran. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Barbara and Brian Torrey; a brother, John, New Port Richey; two sisters, Charlene Matheson, Honolulu, and Dawn Noto, Long Island; and a grandmother, Caroline Egloff, Port Richey. Bell Funeral Home, Bayonet Point.

LUIKART, DAVID SR. Decorated Military Veteran David Luikart Dies At 82

By DAVID SOMMER

This article appeared in the Tampa Tribune on Apr. 17, 2008.

NEW PORT RICHEY - David L. Luikart Sr., who owned Roscoe Drugs on Grand Boulevard for decades, was active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and was twice decorated for bravery in World War II, died Tuesday at 82.

Luikart was born on May 21, 1925, at the family homestead on what is now named Oelsner Street in New Port Richey.

His parents, Frank and Virgie Luikart, came here in 1913 from Paradise, W.Va., and bought 10 acres for $5, dubbing the street leading to their home as "Paradise Avenue," according to their grandsons Steven and Phil Luikart.

Steven Luikart, assistant principal at River Ridge High School, now lives on the property with his wife, Nancy.

David Luikart's childhood memories included riding on the running board of silent film star Gloria Swanson's limousine. He got his start in the pharmacy business at 13, when he went to work for Roscoe Drugs' founder Roscoe Henderson.

A 1942 graduate of Gulf High School, the elder Luikart lettered in football, basketball and baseball and was class valedictorian.

Shortly after entering the University of Florida, Luikart joined the Army and won a battlefield promotion to sergeant. He served with the 94th Infantry Division of the 3rd Army under Gen. George S. Patton and participated in four major European campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge.

Luikart was awarded Bronze and Silver Stars for bravery in combat. He seldom talked about the war and never about his exploits, his sons recalled Wednesday.

"He went over to do what he needed to do for his country, and he never complained about it, and he didn't want to talk about it," Phil Luikart said.

After the war, the elder Luikart resumed his studies at UF, graduating with a bachelor of science in pharmacy. He also served 12 years with the Army Reserve Medical Service Corps.

Luikart married Arline Drinkard of Buchanan, Va., on Dec. 27, 1946. They had three sons: David Jr., Steve and Phil. She died at 68 on April 15, 1994, 14 years to the day before her husband.

Luikart was a member of First Baptist Church, which his parents helped found, was on the advisory councils for Gulf High School and Marchman Technical Education Center, and was once honored by the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce as Pioneer Citizen of the Year.

He also was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. But his great passion was for the Elks, with whom he rose from exalted ruler of Lodge 2284 in 1964 to president of the Florida State Elks Association in 1990.

Luikart is survived by his second wife, Catherine, his sons and numerous other grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Elks Lodge at 7201 Congress St. at 6 p.m. April 29. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.