Ronald L. (Ronny) Alexander (b. 18 Mar 1918, d. 6 Mar 1920)

Born in Litchfield, Medina County, Ohio, he was the son of Benjamin Bosworth Alexander and Amie Edith (Lewallen) Alexander. They were both from Morgan County, Tenn., and moved to Medina County in 1917.

Ronny went to local public schools, both in Litchfield and Berea in Cuyahoga County, graduating from Berea H. S. in 1936. In 1934, he earned his Eagle Scout Award in beekeeping. He had a great interest in music and played the slide trombone from the fifth grade until the end of high school. When his family moved to Berea, near Cleveland, one of his first jobs there was helping his father build houses and other carpentry work. Another job was selling furniture for a store. He then worked as a timekeeper for Rayon, which made clocks for workers.

He later had a position with Iron Fireman, which made coal stokers, and became a manager with seven servicemen and 7,000 stokers working under him in Cleveland, Ohio. During part of this time period, he also attended night school at a local college. Right after Pearl Harbor in 1941, he began working for NACA, a forerunner of NASA, so he had a deferment from military service. He continued in NACA until early 1951.

He married Janice Yochem in February 1951. They opened their own dry cleaning business, also picking up and delivering the clothing. They eventually closed it in the late winter of 1951 because of continuing deep snow causing delivery problems and an auto accident. They moved down to Houston, Texas, where Ronny was a service manager for Rheem Manufacturing and Air Conditioning Co., traveling around several western states. Tired of being away from home so much, he joined with Russ Builders and Associates, eventually buying the company. He was a wellknown building contractor for the next 40 years in the Houston to Galveston areas of Texas. Since he knew all the astronauts then, he was able to build homes for some of them, and even kept in touch with them for many years.

When his wife, Janice, had a stroke and needed constant care for the next 11 years, he undertook that demanding task and was home with her most of the time. He took classes as a real estate broker with Elder-Kelley Century 21, and had a very successful career until Janice passed away. Then he sold everything and moved to Destin, Fla., to live with his son, Ronald H. Alexander, and his wife, Renee.

His only living son, known as Ron, was born in February 1953. He had a successful military career flying helicopters and airplanes. After retirement, he was employed for several years at Eglin Air Force Base, north of Destin. In October 2007, he went into service for the government to manage the helicopter program in Iraq, coming back to Washington, D.C., periodically. His wife, Renee, soon moved up to Alexandria, Va., where they have an apartment. She also works for the government at this time.

Ronny has a sister, Violet Stoffan, four years younger, who resides in the Cleveland area. His other descendants are children of Ron and first wife, Andy Alexander and Amy Alexander, both living in Fort Walton Beach.

On Feb. 14, 2003, in Fort Walton Beach, Ronny married Carol (Richardson) McKinney, a widow from Utah. They had seven happy years together until his recent passing at the Gulf Coast Medical Center of causes incident to age. They had moved over to Panama City Beach in May 2003.

They were both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 9, 2010, for family and friends at the church, 505 S. Arnold, in Panama City Beach. Brock’s Funeral Home in Panama City is handling preliminary arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Boy Scouts of America, 9440 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, in the name of Ronald L. Alexander. Donations may also be made locally to Boy Scouts of America, Panama City Stake, and mail to President Jacob Fish, 505 S. Arnold, Panama City Beach, FL 32413.

Published: March 9, 2010

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Walter Harry Bellomy (d 11 Jan 2010)

Walt Bellomy, 85, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Bay Medical Center.

Walt was a coin collector who enjoyed woodworking and doing projects around his home. He retired from the U.S. Navy after serving during World War II and also retired from the Bureau of Prisons after 20 years of service. He was a Panama City resident for the past 25 years.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mona Ruth Bellomy; daughter, Lorrie Vaughan (Dan); two grandchildren, Merissa Hudson (Chris) and Jennifer Flynn (Tim); and two great-grandchildren, Conner Flynn and Morgan Hudson. Walt was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Bellomy.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, in the chapel of Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Young officiating. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.kentforestlawn.com.

Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home 2403 Harrison Ave. Panama City, Fla. 32405 850-763-4694 www.kentforestlawn.com

Published: January 13, 2010

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Henry ‘Harold’ Long (6 Nov 1943, d. 17 Jan 2010

Mr. Henry “Harold” Long, 66, of Panama City, Fla., died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, in a local hospital.

He was a resident of the area for most of his life. He was Holiness by faith and loved hunting, fishing and NASCAR.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Sue Long; one daughter, Renee Long; one son, Kevin Long and wife, Marlaina; five grandchildren, Austin Burch, Corbin Burch, Kevin Long Jr., Morgan Long and Paige Long; two sisters, Ann Ferdig and husband, Lynn, and Ginger Kelley and husband, Mike; three brothers, Jimmy Long, Roy Long and Ira Long and wife, Janice; one brotherin-law, Roy Paul; one sister-in-law, Viola Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of Panama City. He was preceded in death by his father, John Long; and mother, Addie Long.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at the Heritage Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Allen Ferguson of Springfield Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories. Asked to serve as pallbearers are Curtis Long, James Martin, Robert Burkett, Paul Jones, Chris Herring and Patrick Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Randall Henderson, Lynn Paul and Bill Sumerall. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, at Heritage Funeral Home.

A special “thank you” from the family goes to Dr. Misal Khan. Those wishing to extend a word of encouragement may do so at www.heritagefhllc.com.

Published: January 19, 2010

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Thomas McDonald Sr. (b. 28 Feb 1925, d. 15 Jan 2010)

Thomas McDonald Sr., 84, of Vernon, Fla., passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at Clifford Chester Sims Veterans Home.

He was born Feb. 28, 1925, in Bay County, Fla., to Lawyer and Alma Robbins McDonald. Thomas McDonald Sr. served in the U.S. Army then settled in Vernon, Fla., where he raised his family with his wife, Helen Ralls McDonald.

She preceded him in death, along with four of his children, Thomas Jr, Johnnie Lee, Glen and Candy McDonald.

Left to cherish his memory are 13 children, including six sons, Charles (Pearl), James (Jeanetta), Larry, Ellis, Vickery and Eric McDonald (Beth), and seven daughters, Shirley Speed, Carol Lee (William), Jean Morgan (Joseph), Genell, Donna Shine (Ruben), Dorothy McDonald (Marcus) and Eleanor Myers (Lee); 35 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a host nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Vernon, Fla., with the Rev. Price Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Sylvania Cemetery also in Vernon, Fla. Viewing will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. today, Jan. 18, 2010, at Cooper Funeral Home in Chipley, Fla.

Published: January 18, 2010

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Morgan Musgrove (5 Nov 1923, d. 4 Mar 2010)

Morgan Musgrove, 86, of Panama City, passed away Thursday, March 4, 2010, at a local hospital. He was born in Monroe County, Ala., and served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member and deacon of St. Andrew Primitive Baptist Church. Morgan was retired from civil service with 51 years of service and loved genealogy research. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Carla Dickerhoof.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Eunice Musgrove; three daughters, Karen McEwen (Michael), Teresa McEwen (Steven) and Angela McCumbers; a sister, Elizabeth Bartlett; nine grandchildren, Matthew, Timothy (Nicci), Ryan, Tyler, Jared, Heather, Andrea (Jerry), Corbett and Holly; and six greatgrandchildren, Michael, Jacob, Nathan, David, Madix and Analeigh.

A funeral service will be held at St. Andrew Primitive Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2010, with the Elder J.C. Stanaland officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www. kentforestlawn.com.

Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home 2403 Harrison Ave. Panama City, Fla. 32405 850-763-4694 www.kentforestlawn.com  

Published: March 7, 2010

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Patricia Ann ‘Geema’ Nelson (b. 4 July 1923, d. 16 Jan 2020)

Patricia Ann “Geema” Nelson, 86, of Panama City, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at her home.

She was born in Jamestown, N.Y., and had lived in Panama City since 1959. Mrs. Nelson worked as a medical stenographer for many years. After moving to Panama City, she worked in insurance sales with several companies.

She was a faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where she was a founding member of the Rosary Makers. She also was a member of the Order of the Apostles of the Resurrection. As a member of the Writer’s Guild, she had numerous short stories and poems published. Over the years, Mrs. Nelson cared for 96 foster children and served as an interpreter for the deaf at St. Dominic and St. John Catholic churches.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vernon L. Nelson in 1952. Survivors include three children, Paul Nelson Sr. (Sissy) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Cheryl Murray (Donald) of Lynn Haven, Fla., and Verner Nelson (Iris) of Tampa, Fla.; five grandchildren, Paul Nelson Jr. (Louise), Donald Murray Jr. (Shannon), Shawn Marie Keating (Roland), Patrick Murray and Heather Morgan (David); and six greatgrandchildren, Kenneth, Nichole, Zachary, Gage, Coby and Garrett.

A funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, at St. John Catholic Church with Father George Zieba, C.R., officiating. Interment will follow in Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 19, 2010, at the funeral home, with a rosary said at 7 p.m. Asked to serve as pallbearers are Don Murray, David Morgan, Don Murray Jr., Patrick Murray, Verner Nelson and Paul Nelson Jr. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Nelson’s name may be made to St. John Catholic Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Covenant Hospice.

Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home 2403 Harrison Ave. Panama City, Fla. 32405 850-763-4694 www.kentforestlawn.com

Published: January 19, 2010

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William Jack Nelson (b. 18 Aug 1937, d. 1 Jan 2010)

Mr. William Jack Nelson, 72, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Jack, as he was known to all, was born Aug. 18, 1937, in Chandler County, Ga., to Mamie and Leo Nelson. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Coast Guard and served from 1955 until 1959. It was during this time that he first traveled to Panama City, where he would eventually make his life-long home.

In 1959, Jack married Penelope Theresa Chaknis. Together they raised six children and welcomed 19 grandchildren. In 1973, after working as an electrician, he and his fellow colleagues started Ener-Dyne Inc., an electrical contracting firm that eventually would grow into Wireways Inc. In 1994, Wireways once again would be transformed into Tracer Electrical. Jack continued to work and travel with Tracer until he was diagnosed with liver cancer in December 2009.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Mamie Nelson; father, Leo Lender Nelson; brothers, Leo Nelson and Jimmy Nelson; and grandson, Nathan Alan Nelson.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Penelope Theresa Chaknis Nelson; sons, David Andrew Nelson and wife, Kathy, and their children, AnnaBeth, Rebekah and Savanna Nelson, and Patrick Alan Nelson and wife, Betsy, and their children, Kate, Garrett, Noah and Grace Nelson; daughters, Jennifer Marie Fenwick and husband, John, and children, Nichole and Emma Fenwick, Laura Ann McManus and husband, Jim, and son, Jack McManus, Catherine Mary Young and husband, Ed, and children, Matthew, Jacob, Morgan, Madeline, Makena, and Molly Young, and Sarah Teresa Derbes and husband, Dr. Thomas Derbes, and children, Thomas and Taylor Derbes brother, Robert Nelson; sister, Audrey Adcock; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Jack will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, in the Southerland Family Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will be receiving friends for two hours prior to the service from noon until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

For those who wish, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association in memory of Jack.

Also, expressions of sympathy can be submitted and viewed at www. southerlandfamily.com.

Southerland Family Funeral Homes 100 E. 19th St. Panama City, Fla. 32405 850-785-8532

Published: January 4, 2010

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Imogene H. Spencer (b. 29 Nov 1921, d. 23 Dec 2009)

Imogene H. Spencer passed away b. 21 peacefully the evening of Dec. 23, 2009, in Brunswick, Ga., at Hospice of the Golden Isles.

She was born in Raleigh, Ill., and raised in Eldarado, Ill. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Mary Hale. Mrs. Spencer spent the last three years in Darien, Ga., having moved to be near her daughter. She previously lived in Panama City, Fla., for 30 years. Mrs. Spencer owned three restaurants during her lifetime, but spent the majority of her life as a homemaker and mother.

She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years, Raymond H. Spencer; and three daughters, Denise Spencer, Pat Miller and Barbara Ann Thompson.

She is survived by a daughter, Belinda S. Kennedy (Ken) of Darien; a son, Jack Thompson; and two brothers, Bob Hale (Ruth) and Larry Hale; and several grandchildren.

Mrs. Spencer chose cremation and a memorial service will be held at the Darien First Baptist Church, at 3 p.m. today, Dec. 27, 2009, with the Rev. Dr. Michael Warren officiating. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Hospice of the Golden Isles, particularly Cathy Thompson (visiting nurse), Ray King (visiting social worker) and Tameka Samuel (in-house nurse). In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to the Hospice of the Golden Isles.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.

Published: December 27, 2009

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Robert L. Thomas passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.

Robert was born in Pascagoula, Miss., and raised in Mobile, Ala. He was a longtime resident of Panama City, Fla., and Pensacola, Fla. Robert was a shipbuilder by trade, he worked for Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City for years before coming to Pensacola, where he worked for Patti’s Shipbuilding.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marston and Daphane Thomas; two brothers, Marston “Tommy” Thomas and Donald Thomas; and two nephews, Toby and Justin Thomas, all of Mobile, Ala. He is survived by three children, Bobby McDuffey of Mobile, Olivia Reinegger and James Burnett, both of Pensacola; three brothers, James “Bubba” Thomas, George Eddie Thomas and Jesse Bradford Thomas; one sister, Doris Marut, all of Robertsdale Ala.; loving ex-wife and caregiver Karen Thomas; three grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, James “Bobby” Zar, Clinton Burnett, Marston Burnett, nephews Kenny Thomas and Brad Thomas and soon-to-be son-in-law, Ronald Hale. Honorary pallbearer will be lifelong friend, Norman “Buddy” Lane.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at Valhalla Memorial Funeral Home in Semmes, Ala. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. and services will follow immediately.

The family also would like to thank the angels at Covenant Hospice for the wonderful care they gave their father, brother, grandfather and friend.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to Covenant Hospice. They can be made online at www.covenanthospice.org or at your local branch office.

Published January 14, 2010

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