Earl Arlington Cody III

Earl grew up in Biscayne Park where the foundation of his life was formed; family, sports, and fishing. He enjoyed each of these through his last days.

Earl never met a person he did not get to know and they never left him without an “Earl story” of kindness and humor. He was a “talker” who always found something with which to engage another making them feel as if they had always known him even if it were their first encounter.

Earl is survived by his spouse Sandy who had the pleasure of being his wife for 46 years, his daughters Melissa Lynn(Steve Coletta), Amanda Leigh (Josh Godwin), his mother Jackie Reba Cody, and sister LaDonna(Tom Sadler) as well as extended family.

Earl has gone to meet his father Earl A Cody II, brother Randy, and in-laws Elmer and Pearl Overbee who have welcomed his smiling face with love.

Earl attended Eastern Kentucky University where he played football and baseball for four years garnering many athletic honors as a kicker and power hitter. He met Sandy at Eastern where they began a 49 year journey through life together.

After leaving college he worked at his father’s construction company, established a closet business in Fort Myers, and continued in the field of construction after relocating to Tampa until his retirement.

He passed his love of family, sports, and fishing to his daughters. Earl coached both through Little League and competitive softball and when not a coach was one of the most vocal and proudest spectators in the stands cheering on his “lady ball players” along with Sandy.

Earl had the privilege of knowing his greatest joys Melissa and Amanda had met honorable men who love them deeply as they prepare to enter marriage. He was present at their proposals and could not have been prouder than when he welcomed them to our family.

Blount and Curry of Carrollwood in Tampa has been entrusted with his preparations and Celebration of Life. Services will be held Saturday August 28, 2021 at 11a.m. at 3207 Bearss Ave in Tampa. A reception to celebrate Earl will be afterwards. Internment will be a privately held ceremony for immediate family in Fort Myers at a later date.