Philip Justin Wooten's Obituary
Philip Justin Wooten was called home on August 12, 2017 after a sudden illness. He was born December 27, 1933 in Frostproof, Florida, the second youngest of seven children to Frederick and Grace Wooten. He was an all-sports athlete at Frostproof High School, graduating in 1951.
After high school, Philip joined the US Army and served his country proudly overseas in Europe where he met his dearest friend, Willi Luneschnigg. They even shared the same birthday. Despite the many years and miles between them, they have remained in contact and even crossed the ocean with their wives to visit each other on more than one occasion.
After leaving the US Army, Philip married Gloria, his wife of 56 years and began working for the US Postal Service in Avon Park, Florida. They raised two daughters, Pam and Tess, there in the house they build on Lake Isis. Philip retired from the Post Office after 32 years and he and Gloria moved to Gainesville, Florida to be close to his beloved Florida Gators. He attended countless sporting events and owned football season tickets for 35 years.
To stay busy, Philip spent time drawing beautiful pencil sketches, working in his immaculate yard, and doing volunteer work through his church, Grace Baptist Church.
Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Grace Wooten, sisters, Virginia, Lorraine, Gloria and Norma, and brothers, Wyman and Frederick. Philip laid to rest his beloved wife Gloria, in 2013.
He leaves behind his daughter Pamela Irvin and husband Leon of Palm Bay, Florida, his daughter Tess Allin and husband Mark of High Springs, Florida; grandson, Chandler Irvin and wife Kelly, of St. Petersburg, Florida and granddaughter, Kendall Irvin, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 18, 2017 at 11:00 A. M., in the Grace Baptist Church, 7100 NW 39th Avenue, with Rev. Jim Riley, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Countryside Cemetery. The family will receive friends, Thursday, August 17, 2017, from 5 to 7 P. M., in the Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St.
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