When he arrived in Florida he started his second business: Florida Door Control. He was an active member of Bethany Baptist Church where he faithfully served for many years as Deacon and Sunday school class music leader. He also served at Eau Gallie First Baptist Church as deacon and was also involved in other various ministries of the church. He was always loved to share his faith with anyone he met. He had a great love for music and loved listening to and singing gospel music and the old hymns.
After his retirement from Florida Door Control at age 78, he spent his time turning wood and making lamps. He made over 100 lamps and loved to show them to anyone who visited him. He always enjoyed the solving the puzzles in the newspaper: Cryptoquip, Scramlets, Jumble, and the crossword puzzles. He could solve the most difficult crosswords without using a dictionary. He was a great man loved and respected by many from his church, his business, and his personal life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his life- long spouse and business partner Barbara Harpold, his younger sister Narvella Batman (Boyd) of Kenna, WV, and his three sons: David (Karen), Glenn (Kelly), and Mark (Melissa). He is proceeded in death by his daughter, Beverly Leoni (Mike) and his brother Charles Wesley of Grand Rapids Michigan. He leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to either:
Eau Gallie First Baptist Church food pantry www.egfirst.org OR St. Francis Reflections Care www.Reflectionslsc.org