↧
Roger C. Thompson
↧
Merrill Edward Walker
Merrill Edward Walker, 83, of Kissimmee, FL, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 16, 2014. Born August 16, 1930, in Curwensville, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Merrill E. Walker Sr. and Verna E. (Lucas) Walker. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Louise Walker, one daughter, Rhonda (Jack) Barnes of Savannah, Georgia; two grandchildren, Kristen Duffield of Sorrento, FL and Brian Barnes of Fuquay-Varina, NC; four great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Charlotte “Peggy” Markley, Helen Peace and Arlene Garmen. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Sarah Weston and Tracy Peace.
Merrill was an Army veteran, serving in the Korean conflict. A devoted Christian and family man, he loved spending time with his family, family celebrations and family trips.
Private family services will be held. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www.conradandthompson.com/obituaries/.
↧
↧
Roger C. Thompson
↧
John Lloyd Russell
Russell, John Lloyd
John Lloyd Russell died Friday, January 3, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease. Born in Bogalusa, LA on August 6, 1921, he married Louneal Lyons on February 13, 1941, They were married for 68 years until her death in March 2009. They lived in Bogalusa, LA after their marriage before relocating to Orlando, FL, where he established Advanced Distributors, a successful business selling Bibles, in College Park. Mr. Russell was also involved with the Committee of 100, Rotary Club, Toastmasters, and was a Mason for over 50 years. He was a Director of Flagship bank, a Goodwill ambassador to the jungles of South America and had a private pilot’s license he used for business and to vacation with his family. He was a member of College Park Baptist Church for over 50 years. He is survived by his daughter, Lena Clinkscale (Martin), his son, John III, grandchildren, Candace, Jennifer, Mary, Emily and Brian, six great granddaughters and one great grandson. The family will receive visitors at the College Park Baptist Church, 1914 Edgewater Drive, Orlando this Saturday, january 11, 2014 from 12 Noon to 1:00 with funeral service at 1:00pm, immediately followed by interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando. Following interment, guests are invited to College Park Baptist Church for the sharing of a meal and in celebration of John’s life.
The Russell family is being cared for by: CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741; 407-847-3188
↧
Joseph Alfred Gaccione
JOSEPH A. GACCIONE
April 1, 1932 -December 22, 2013
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Joseph A.Gaccione was the son of Yolanda Victoria (Montalto) Gaccione of Astoria, NY, (Godmother to Frank Sinatra’s daughter (Tina), and the son of Charles Angelo Gaccione of Rome, Italy. His maternal grandparents immigrated from Florence, Italy as Italian Ambassadors. He was the nephew of the late great Oscar Montalto of Victoria Royale Fashion Designs and personal designer for Princess Grace Kelly de Monaco. He spent his childhood in Nutley, NJ surrounded by family and friends and his summers with his grandparents playing in the Famous Ringling Brothers Family Florida home and on the Jersey Shore. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School but quit with only two months remaining to join the months remaining to join the United States Air Force as Airman 1st Class and Jet Engine Mechanic serving all four years in the Korean War. He was awarded The Korean Service Medal w/1BS, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and The National Defense Service Medal as well as a letter of Commendation from the Colonel of the United States Air Force for his remarkable feat of changing out and replacing the entire jet engine of a F-33 fighter jet and putting the jet back in the air in under 9 minutes and 35 seconds; a record still undefeated to date.
When the Korean War ended, he was honorably discharged and returned home to California where he met and married his bride, Phyllis Faye Farmer (deceased November 8, 2012) of nearly 60 years. They moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in search of work with their young daughter, Desiree, and there had a second child, Joette. Without a high school diploma, Joa high school diploma, Joseph became a Nuclear Engineer with AeroJet NERVA Project and NASA’s Space Program, under the guidance of Wernher Von Braun, one of the most important rocket developers and champions of space exploration, who wrote Joseph a book titled, “Nuclear Physics Made Very Easy for Joe Gaccione.” There, Joseph assisted in the development of nuclear jet rocket propulsion systems that eventually propelled the first man to the moon for the Apollo 11 mission. Joseph became a mission control operator for the space program and his contributions were recognized personally by President John F. Kennedy. As a developer of NERVA, Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application with NASA and the US Atomic Energy Commission, AeroJet demonstrated that nuclear thermal rocket engines were a feasible, reliable tool for space exploration, meeting the requirements in the 1960s for a manned mission to Mars. To date, all space mission plans use derivative designs from his contribution to the development of jet rocket propulsion systems. When President Nixon canceled the Space Program and closed the AeroJet Testsite in Jackass Flats, Nevada, Joseph left the Mohave Desert, and their horse, behind and moved his family to Florida for the building and opening of Walt Disney World in 1971. Hired first as a Safety Engineer, Joseph assisted in the design implementation of all the Magic Kingdom rides to meet the highest safety standards. His proudest creation was assisting in the building of It’s A Small World ride, which became his theme song for his life. His brilliant mind did not go unnoticed by Mr. Walt Disney himself and soon Joseph became Chief Engineer of Operations Executive over Walt Disney World and Resorts. He was on the design team for the creation of EPCOT and hosted the first international students in his own home. He hosted the first international students in his own home. He was also recognized with a Disney Design Award for his part of the development of the Grand Floridian. But it was his boiler room in the Contemporary Hotel that made history when it broke down during the famous presidential speech made by President Nixon of “I AM NOT A CROOK!” Many psychologists say that when someone lies they sweat referring to this speech, yet Nixon sweated because the air conditioning broke down and the Secret Service would not let Joseph into the boiler room to fix it! Even Jim Henson’s Muppets played in Joe’s boiler room visiting the pipes for a possible film shoot. Joseph often referred to his office as the command center with him being at the helm as Captain Kirk, his secretary Mel Miller Smith as Lt. Ohura, and his right hand man, Jack Barry, as Spock.
He never saw the impossible, only what could be, saying “you can’t put God in box.” Always looking for a smarter, better way to do things, he created the Disney program “I Have An IDEA!” for cast members to share their input and the “Mickey’s VoluntEARS Program” which allowed cast volunteers to donate their time within the community in countless ways, including volunteering at Give Kids the World, a nonprofit organization that exists to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illness and their families from around the world. He helped to co-found this organization and designed the villages under the direction of his dear friend Henri Landwirth and Joseph’s various contact relations in the Central Florida Hospitality Industry. He was impassioned about serving others, especially children. He presented the idea of TECO to Osceola County School Board to create a trade and technical school where many students bound for needed professions out where many students bound for needed professions outside of college degrees attend. In the early 1980s, he presented his plan to the City of Kissimmee to have a River Ferry Boat Cruise on Lake Toho to bring in revenue to enhance our community, which is now being brought to the city’s attention again nearly 35 years later. His foresight and vision were unparalleled. He published his first book and training manual used nationwide throughout major hotel chains as well as internationally in hospitality schools. His book titled “Principles of Engineering and Management” is quoted with his sayings on leadership that “You can’t push a chain” and Turtle Management, “You have to stick your neck out if you want to get something done.” He taught engineering at Walt Disney University, Westside VoTech, Orange County Public Schools, and Bethune Cookman University and proctored exams for the state. He was a lead consultant for the State of Florida’s state. He was a lead consultant for the State of Florida’s first mold remediation operational standards with his involvement with CH2MHill. He has friends from across the globe, but perhaps his greatest achievement was his involvement with Wider Horizons of Northern Ireland. Joseph became an American Ambassador for The Wider /Border Horizons Programme of Ireland that he helped develop to achieve peace along the border in Ireland by sponsoring numerous hospitality students for their J1 Visas and hosting them in America to learn various skills to develop Ireland’s tourism industry. By pairing young people from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and having them live and work in the hospitality industry and volunteer at Give Kids the World, students discovered they have more in common than they do differently. He implemented the program in Florida in the 1990s. Since its’ conception, the program hosts students in the US, Canada and in Spain. He and his wife were awarded in Northern Ireland for his participation in Ireland’s peace-keeping coalition and economic development. He helped to repair the heartache between Protestants and Catholics from hundreds of years and rebuild relationships between the Irish people, bringing the glimmer of light and hope to a darkened existence of the unemployed of Ireland and uplifted them by having faith in their abilities. His Italian heart beats Irish blood and he will forever remain a family member there of in the hills of Donegal, known as a grandfather to many throughout the Irish community. During his retirement, he enjoyed time with friends in the mountains of Tennessee. However, when his life was unexpectedly interrupted by a tragic accident in downtown Kissimmee, it changed the direction of his and his wife’s lives. After surviving the accident, both Joe and Phyllis lives. After surviving the accident, both Joe and Phyllis came home to live with their daughter and son-in-law for assistance. They had visitors from around the world and enjoyed seeing their family and friends.
Joseph Gaccione was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Phyllis Faye (Farmer) Gaccione, who preceded him in death a year earlier. He lovingly referred to her as “his bride” for nearly 60 years. He loved to watch her paint and dance as his hobbies. He leaves behind an unfinished novel, “The White Wolf,” which was inspired by his beloved dog, Heidi, a great white Pyrenees. He lost his baby sister, Annmarie Werner, whom he affectionately called Annie to pancreatic cancer in 2002. He is survived by his only brother Charles “Chuck” Gaccione (wife Ava). He and Phyllis had two daughters, Desiree LaDonna Horn of Kissimmee, Florida and Joette Gaccione Tindell (husband Marvin) of St. Cloud, Florida. He was an (husband Marvin) of St. Cloud, Florida. He was an amazing grandfather to half a dozen grandchildren and was affectionately called “Poppa” by them all: Bobby Martin “Colt” Horn III, Casee La-Donna Horn, Chase Joseph Horn, Christopher Thomas Tindell, Travis Lee Tindell, and his newest granddaughter, Lilyanne Faye “Pearl” Tindell, who was the light of his life in his final days.
Joseph was a man of amazing talents and grace who was strong, yet gentle. Wise, yet full of humor and lighthearted. (he had to be, since he was born on April Fool’s day). He was always positive, always. He was told he would never walk again twice in his life, and both times he did. He was labeled “Dangerously Optimistic” by the rehab centers. He believed that with a little bit of pixie dust, anything was possible if you put your heart in it. He said that the F on the report card was for Fantastic because there was is no such thing as failure, only gaining experience in trying. He loved to hear his ure, only gaining experience in trying. He loved to hear his Natalya, and her sister Gigi, play the violin. He taught his children to go for the brass ring, to live life to the fullest, to believe in your dreams, to help others and that there are no strangers in this world, only friends we haven’t met yet. He had a beautifully strong belief in God, was a devout Catholic in his heart and helped fund the building of Holy Redeemer Catholic School. He cherished family above all things of this world. He gave away everything he owned because it meant nothing to him, only relationships did. If you sat at the table and had coffee with Joe, then you know what kind of man he was. He taught us all that it really is….. A Small World After All…
After a legendary fight, Joseph Gaccione suffered from an unexpected heart attack and the Lord has called him Home. God has gained a great worker in Heaven. He is going to be deeply, and truly, missed. He was a one of kind man. The best daddy. And the best poppa any child could ever ask for. We miss you Poppa Joe. Rest in Peace. Now you can be happy, dancing with your bride, our Mamie, in Heaven. And your knee can finally bend. “Go, Joe, Go!”
Visitation: Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home Tuesday, January 7th, 4:00 p.m. (family) 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (public), Deacon Tommy Tate presiding. Funeral Mass: Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Wednesday, January 8th 10:30 a.m., graveside service to follow Father Tim Labou presiding.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to help towards the purchase of her parents’ headstone as Joe and Phyllis were married 60 years and wanted to remain together. To make this possible, please leave donations for the Tindell Family to collect at Conrad and Thompson Funeral Home
↧
↧
Marjorie Ruth Feagan
↧
Julia M Cowles
↧
Evelyn Phillis Davis
Davis, Evelyn Phyllis
Evelyn Phyllis Davis, 91, of Kissimmee passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2014.
Born in Paluski County, Indiana on September 29, 1922. She moved to Kissimmee from Winamac, Indiana in 1958. She was a homemaker and a long time member of the First Baptist Church, Kissimmee.
Survived by daughters, Beverly Barrett, Kissimmee; Joyce Ann (Jerry) McNeill of Colorado; Sons, Eugene A. (Debbie) Davis of Murphy, N.C. and Carl L. (Anna) Davis of St. Cloud, FL.; nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 21, 2014 11:00 A.M. at The First Baptist Church of Kissimmee with The Reverend Tim Wilder officiating. Interment to follow in Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation for friends is one hour prior to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of The Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL. 32714
The Davis family is being cared for by CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, FL. 34741
↧
Diana Blake Lessard
↧
↧
Michael Paul Christian
Christian, Michael Paul
Michael Paul Christian, 55, was born in Cheverly, Maryland on March 8, 1958 and went to be with the Lord on March 1, 2014. Mike moved to Kissimmee in 1963 and graduated from Osceola High School in 1975. He graduated from Florida Southern College with a B.S. in Accounting in 1980 and was in the ROTC program and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After graduation, Mike went in to Army and flew Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. He was Commissioned a Second Lieutenant on April 26, 1979 and received an honorable discharge as a Captain in 1988. He was a Certified Public Accountant and received a M.S. in Federal Income Taxation from the Washington School of Law in 1995. Mike worked for 20 years at Lupfer-Frakes/Bouchard Insurance. In 2010, he opened his own CPA firm and then worked for Penn-Global. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee and participated in leadership Osceola. He is survived by his parents, Paul Christian and mother, Virginia Steele Merideth; sons, Collin and Parker Christian; sisters, Cathy (Rusty) Thacker; Karen (Bob) Gray; brother, Phil (Tammy) Christian; special friend Patti McLeod; nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, March 06, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at The First United Methodist Church in Kissimmee with the Rev. Dr. Bob Wooten officiating. Graveside services will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with Full Military Honors by the Osceola County Veterans Council. Memorial contributions may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 101 W. Dakin Avenue, Kissimmee, FL. 34741.
The Christian family is being cared for by CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, FL. 34741
↧
Monty Andrew Tanner
Tanner Jr, Monty Andrew “Andy”
Monty Andrew “Andy” Tanner, Jr., 25 years old of Kenansville passed away Friday, February 14, 2014. Andy Was born in Kissimmee and was a lifelong Osceola County resident. He was a Mechanic and was Baptist.
Suvivors include: mother, Shirley Tindall Blank of Daytona Beach; step-father, Allen Blank of Daytona Beach; fiancee, Pam Piterski of Daytona Beach; sister, Justina Tanner Krzan (Keith), Kenansville; maternal grandmother, Peggy Tindall, White Springs, FL.; aunt Cheryl (Keith) Collins, Kenansville; uncles, David (Andrea) Tindall, Elton, MD.; Larry Tindall, Melbourne; niece, Athena Krzan; nephew, Vassar Krzan both of Kenansville; cousin, Clint Bass, Kenansville.
Preceded in death by father, Monty A. Tanner Sr.; maternal grandfather, Tiger Tindall; paternal grandparents, Raymond and Vera Tanner.
Graveside funeral services at East Lake Cemetery (Boggy Creek), Kissimmee will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 20, 2014 with Mr. Dale Tindall officiating. Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at Conrad & Thompson Funeral Home.
The Tanner family is being cared for by CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, FL. 34741 (407)847-3188
↧
Florence W Corion
↧
Robert F Rickman
Robert F. Rickman, age 57, of St Cloud, FL passed away on February 14, 2014. He is the loving father of Jeremy Rickman and Ethan Rickman; brother of Wendy Rickman of Dallas Texas and friend of Suzanne Gray.
Visitations will be Friday 5-8 pm at CONDRAD AND THOMPSON Funeral Home with Mass of Christian burial on Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
↧
↧
Evelyn Phillis Davis
Davis, Evelyn Phyllis
Evelyn Phyllis Davis, 91, of Kissimmee passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2014.
Born in Paluski County, Indiana on September 29, 1922. She moved to Kissimmee from Winamac, Indiana in 1958. She was a homemaker and a long time member of the First Baptist Church, Kissimmee.
Survived by daughters, Beverly Barrett, Kissimmee; Joyce Ann (Jerry) McNeill of Colorado; Sons, Eugene A. (Debbie) Davis of Murphy, N.C. and Carl L. (Anna) Davis of St. Cloud, FL.; nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 21, 2014 11:00 A.M. at The First Baptist Church of Kissimmee with The Reverend Tim Wilder officiating. Interment to follow in Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation for friends is one hour prior to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of The Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL. 32714
The Davis family is being cared for by CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, FL. 34741
↧
Diana Blake Lessard
↧
Mary L White
↧
Morris Scott Blankenship
Blakenship, M. Scott
M. Scott Blankenship, age 48 of Kissimmee, Florida passed away at his residence in Altoona, Florida, Wednesday, February 20, 2014. Scott was born April 2, 1965 in Orlando, Florida. He lived his life between Altoona, Florida and Kissimmee, Florida. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1983 and attended Valencia Community College. Scott was a construction electrician in the Central Florida area. He loved to freshwater fish in the local lakes and waterways. Other loves include Gator football and NASCAR racing.
Scott is preceded in death by his father, Larry Lee Blankenship. He leaves behind a loving and caring family. His daughter: Katelyn, Hiddenite of North Carolina; mother: Carol Jackson and step-father: Jim Jackson of Kissimmee, Florida; brother: Craig (Caroline) Blankenship of Kissimmee and his loving fiancé: June Voss of Kissimmee, Florida and her daughters: Summer and Amanda.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 15, 2014 at New Hope Bible Church located at 1730 Vintage St., Kissimmee, Florida (Campbell City) with Pastor Jim Fox officiating.
The family is being cared for by CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741; 407-847-3188; www.conradandthompson.com
↧
↧
Dennis Elton Stacey
Stacey, Dennis E.
Dennis E. Stacey, 54 of Altamonte Springs, Florida passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2014. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Altamonte Springs, Florida in 1989 from Los Angeles, California. He was a Heavy Equipment Mechanic by trade and a Catholic by faith.
Dennis is survived by his wife Linda Stacey of Altamonte Springs, Florida; son: Dustin E. Stacey of Sanford, Florida; daughters: Jacqueline Valdes of Altamonte Springs, Florida, Jennifer Gill of Haines City, Florida and Brianna Valdes of Haines City, Florida. brothers: Michael Stacey, Gary Stacey, James Stacey and Wayne Stacey, all of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister: June Young of Cincinnati, Ohio and 6 grandchildren.
The Stacey family is being cared for by: CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741; 407-847-3188.
↧
Diana Blake Lessard
↧
Mary L White
↧