In Memory

The Dash Poem

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
That can still be rearranged

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile…
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?

by Linda Ellis

William Ackerman
Sandra Bethany
Bob Blunt
Betty Bokas
Carolyn Branch
Ronald Bright
William Bryant
Charlie Cobb
Pat DeVane
Zona Duke
Gary Niles Garner

GARNER, Gary Niles 69, of Tampa, passed away suddenly Oct. 16, 2013. Gary is survived by the love of his life and wife of 47 years, Carol Moreland Garner; his daughters, Krista Maddox (Clint), Camille Collier (Joe); his three grandchildren, Peyton and Grayson Maddox, and Carter Collier; his sister, Frankie Harrell (Stan); his brother, Mac Garner; his niece and nephew, Whitney and Christopher Harrell; and his two bonus grandchildren, Katelin and Anna Leigh Collier. After graduating from Robinson High School in 1962, Gary followed in his father's footsteps and voluntarily enlisted in the Marine Corp where he proudly served his country during Vietnam. Upon returning home to Tampa, Gary met and married Carol and graduated from the University of South Florida. Gary spent his career in Tampa as a Commercial Real Estate Broker and with Tuflex. He was a member of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church and the Tampa Yacht Club. Gary was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, boating, and hunting. He loved his dogs, cooking for friends and family, his country, and most of all, his family. Gary was a true patriot who will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him. His family takes comfort knowing he is no longer in pain and he's walking tall with his Lord. Visitation will be held on Thursday Oct. 24 from 5-7 pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S MacDill Ave. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Friday, Oct. 25 at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa. Guestbook may be signed at: www.BlountcurryMacdill.com.

Gary Gehm
Gail Gulkis Negin
Eric Johnson
Buzz Kelly
Warren Kimberlin
Kathy Klein
Sonia Lopez
Tony Marchetta
Patrick O'Neal
Connie Porter
Bob Reaves
DeeDee Riley
Stephen Scrivner
Edd Slappy
Joe Sontag Jr
Robert Thompson
Carolyn Watt
Linda Weeks
Diana Wood
Christine Anne Bamburger

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.

Michael Jeffrey Baumwald

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2010

Gary Bertoldi

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2006

Charles Walter Davis

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2008

Judy Decker

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2001

Patricia Dean DeVaney Brown

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2009

William Doyle Gentry

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2013

Roberta Ann Hawkins

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  1995

Johnny Haseldan Keenan

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2009

Ronald Lewis Nelson

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2010

Glenna Jean Osborne

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2009

Larry George Padgett

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2012

Karen Sue Pittman Denmon

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2006

Catherine Mary Powell

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2012

Kenneth Steele

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2009

Kenneth James Wills

Our research indicates this classmate is deceased.  2005

Sue McLaughlin Ward

ANOTHER FALLEN KNIGHT SUE MC LAUGHLIN WARD CLASS OF 62.
Sue passed away last night 2/20/16.

Warren Critchlow Jr.
Just found this site and wanted to let you know that Warren Critchlow - class of '62 passed away maybe 10-12 years ago in Orange Park, Florida.

 

Ronald Lee Abernathy

Ronald Lee Abernathy, 72, died Wed. Memorial service 2pm Sat, Warren F. Toler Funeral Home. Visit after 12pm Sat. www.tolerfuneralhome.com


Published in Lexington Herald-Leader on Feb. 27, 2016

Thomas Eugene Grantham

The visitation and funeral service for Tom Grantham, brother-in-law of our Sally Wood DaveSally Grantham has been confirmed for Friday March 25, 2016. Details below:

GRANTHAM, Tom, 73, of Tampa passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio and moved to Florida as a young child. Tom proudly served in the United States Air Force. He worked for many years in the steel industry and then later in life opened and owned a sign manufacturing company. Tom lov...ed sports and, in particular, he enjoyed playing golf. He loved music and laughter and was a pro at trivia. Tom took pride in providing much laughter to his family and most of all he loved being with his family and spoiling his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving, Hollie, wife of two years; two sons, Matthew Thomas Grantham and his wife Aleia, Chad Thomas Grantham and his wife Mary; five daughters, Shannon Bowlin and her husband Dustin, Shelley Grantham, Cammi Grantham-Stacy and her husband TJ, Amy Robertson and her husband Mat, Lizzie Agosto and her husband Damon; three brothers David Grantham and his wife Sally, Bob Grantham and Scott Grantham, 14 grandchildren, Finnegan, Amelia, Alice, Lily, Luke, Grayson, Jarlen, Chloe, Caylen, Brantley, Maddox, Malcolm, Maxwell, Spencer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to assist in Tom’s medical bills at https://www.gofundme.com/p3pvwdrg. Words of comfort may be expressed for Tom’s family by clicking “Share a Memory”.

Visitation Information
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Loyless Funeral Home - Main Office & Chapel
5310 Land O'Lakes Blvd,
Land O'Lakes, Florida

Service Information
10:00 AM
Loyless Funeral Home - Main Office & Chapel
5310 Land O'Lakes Blvd,
Land O'Lakes, Florida

Funeral Information
12:30 PM
Florida National Cemetery
Bushnell, Florida

Wilfred 'Al' William Ballensinger

Our friend and classmate Al Ballensinger passed early morning on July 4, 2016 at his home in Foley, Alabama. Al was at Ballast Point Elementary, then Monroe before some of the best times of his life at Robinson. Al went on to Emory University and graduated in 1966 before a career in Human Resources that lasted more than 37 years. Al always said the friendships forged at Robinson were the greatest and would always endure.
 Don Vandergriff

Arthur Tassoni

Arthur Robert "Artie" Tassoni, 72, of St. Petersburg, died from ALS on May 11, 2017.

Art was born in the Bronx, NY and served in the USAF and attended SPJC and USF.  He was an optician, most recently with Dr. Nancy Bryant.

Artie is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carol; and son, Michael.  He also leaves his brother-in-law Bob Tegarden; nieces, Susan and Linda; and nephew, Tom. Artie was predeceased by his sister, Carol; brother, Rick; and parents, Ferdinand and Isabel.

A small internment service was held at the Bay Pines National Cemetery.  An Open House Celebration is being held on June 3rd fro 6-11 pm at the Azalea Adult Recreation Center, 1600 72nd St. N. The dress is comfortable--Artie style.

A very special thank you to all our wonderful family and friends for their generous love and support. If you choose to donate, please consider The Paralyzed Veterans of America, SCI unit, James A Haley Veteran Hospital, Tampa, FL.

Dorothy Stinson

Date: Friday, January 4, 2019 10:31:34 AM
Visitor message: Just wanted to let you know that Dorothy Stinson
Riddle passed away May 5, 2018 in Winter Haven Fl. She was in the 1962 class of RHS

John T. Lesley

John T. Lesley, Jr. or John T. as he was known to friends and family passed from this life on April 16th, 2021. John T. was born in Haines City, Florida where his family had a long history in the cattle and citrus industry. John T.’s father was general manager of Haines City Citrus Growers Association and Seald Sweet Growers and later became one of the foremost leaders in the Florida citrus industry. When John T. was a young boy, he contracted polio. He spent the rest of his life with a disabled and painful leg but he walked with bravery, determination and without complaint. John’s family moved to Tampa when he was in elementary school. John T. grew up in Tampa and his family had deep roots in this city. John T.’s great great grandfather, John Thomas Lesley was the 12th mayor and sheriff of Tampa. John T. loved Tampa and was proud of his lineage of Florida pioneers.

 

John T. graduated from High School and attended the University of Florida where he made a number of life long friends. He was a loyal “Gator” and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. After college John T. met and married the love of his life Diane (Dunn) Lesley. Their marriage produced two beautiful daughters, Kimberly and Elizabeth. John T. and Diane made their home in Tampa while he commuted to Winter Haven where he was President and General Manager of Winter Haven Citrus Growers Association. He also was a member of the Winter Haven Rotary Club. At home in Tampa John T. was a member of Merrymakers Club, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, and the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. In spite of all John T.’s accomplishments he was a humble man who enjoyed nothing more than spending his weekends at his little country house on Hatchineha Road in Haines City. John will be remembered for his love of his family, kindness, self- effacing humor and his unwavering loyalty to family and friends.

 

John T. was preceded in death by his Father, John T. Lesley Sr., his mother Louise (Norton) Lesley He is survived by his wife Diane (Dunn) Lesley, his daughter Kimberly Dunleavy and grandchildren Jack, Avery and Vivienne; his daughter Elizabeth Butler (Eric) and granddaughters Alexis and Olivia. He is also survived by his sisters, India Whedbee (Charles), Susan Chandlee (Jim), brother-in-law, Bob Dunn (Carol) and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Thursday, April 22nd at 11:00 am.

Hugh Kevin Jones


Hugh Jones, Class of 1962, passed away on April 9, 2022 just one day shy of his 78th birthday.  Hugh was an outstanding athlete at Robinson and a great friend.

HUGH JONES OBITUARY

JONES, Hugh our rock, left this earth on April 9, 2022 one day before his 78th birthday, leaving this world a much sadder place without his presence. He was born in Toronto in 1944 to Anna Kay and Buck Jones. His dad played hockey for the Leafs and the Wings; upon retirement in the 50's, the family moved to Tampa. Hugh attended Mitchell, Madison, and Robinson where he made lifelong friends. He was a phenomenal athlete who lettered in basketball, baseball, and football. Hugh scored the winning touchdowns when Robinson and Plant met on the football field for the first time in 1961. Hugh earned a football scholarship to Wichita but later left the game and joined the Navy. Four years later he returned to Tampa where we met and married. We have had THE storybook marriage for 48 years. Our children, Dena and Cory, came along in '75 and '78 bringing countless hours of love and pride to our lives. Hugh had a heart of gold; he was always there to lend a hand to family, friends, neighbors, strangers. He was a loyal friend, a giver of joy and laughter and a lover of conversation. He was my partner, best friend, protector, dance partner, fishing guide. He was our children's role model and hero. Hugh is survived by his wife, Laurie; daughter, Dena Jones; son, Cory (Kyle) Jones; four-legged son, Otis; brother, Alvin (Sharon) Jones; sister-in-law, Michelle McIntosh; and cherished nephews, nieces, and friends. Thank you to all who prayed, called, texted, and came to celebrate Hugh's life. He lives in our hearts, our stories, and our memories. He is now reunited with family and friends in Our Lord's Home. I pray he is restored to health, happiness, and laughter. Hugh always believed in and lived by The Golden Rule. What a wonderful tribute to him if we all were to strive to do the same. We love you, Hugh, and always will.

 
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