Obituaries – 05-27-2020

Robert L. Wampler

Wampler

Robert L. Wampler, 64, of Holmes Beach, died April 28 at Tidewell Hospice.

He was born Dec. 27, 1955, in Harlingen, Texas to John and Sara Wampler.

He met and married Debbie in Atlanta in 1978 and they moved to Anna Maria Island in 1979.

He was the owner of Bluewater Tile Installation for more than 30 years.

He was a kind and gentle soul who never met a stranger. He loved boating and fishing and taught many island visitors how to catch the big one.

He was an organic gardener and loved helping neighbors with their gardens. He was a loving and giving friend to all.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

Donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Childrenís Hospital online at www.stjude.org.

Mr. Wampler is survived by his wife, Debbie; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Randy and Brenda Evans; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Sandy Greer; nephew Jon Ryan Taylor, niece Krista Butler; and his good friend since high school, Jim Redman.

 

Thomas ‘Tom’ F. Warda

Warda

Dr. Thomas “Tom” F. Warda, 89, died May 16, in his home on Anna Maria Island surrounded by love.

He was born April 20, 1931.

He received his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of Illinois in 1955.

For 38 years, he worked in Chicago in his privately owned practice as a dentist.

He was a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society and Chicago Dental Society.

He also served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force.

He was a loving husband and father who cherished his family. He married Eunice Kotowicz in 1958 and they loved to travel the world. Some of their favorite trips were to the Caribbean for dental conferences, Germany for their 40th anniversary with family and Poland to explore their ancestry.

He was a commercial private pilot and boat captain. He spent many enjoyable years flying, sailing, golfing, playing tennis, swimming at the beach and cheering on the Illini in football and basketball.

He loved making money in the stock market and enthusiastically shared his investing strategies with others.

He was a lover of dogs and was particularly fond of his furry buddy, Misty.

His family and friends will always remember him as a fun person who liked to toe the line with his humor.

He will have military honors once the national cemetery in Sarasota is scheduling appointments again. A private, virtual memorial for family was to be held on Memorial Day. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Donations may be sent to the Roser Food Pantry via roserchurch.com or the Florida Veterans Foundation COVID-19 support fund at helpflvets.org/covid-19-support/. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Dr. Warda is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eunice; son David and wife Jane; daughter Suzette and husband Torey DeGrazia; grandchildren Leslie and husband Matthew Kwilas, Lindsey and husband David Young, Mark, Alan, Jared DeGrazia, Veronica and husband Sean Scott, and Taryn DeGrazia; and great-grandchildren Mila, Alex, Ronin and Ryan.

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