Cover photo for Mr. Richard A. Fort Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. Richard A. Fort Jr. Profile Photo
1944 Mr. 2018

Mr. Richard A. Fort Jr.

April 17, 1944 — August 14, 2018

FORT MEADE - Richard Allen Fort, Jr., 74, of Fort Meade, FL and most recently of Gainesville, FL passed away Tuesday, August 14th, 2018 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL surrounded by family.

Mr. Fort retired as General Manager of Peace River Packing Company in Fort Meade, FL, entering the business as a fifth-generation citrus grower in 1970 after graduating from the University of Florida and serving in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969. During his career he fulfilled many roles in the Florida citrus Industry, which included, Chairman of the Board of Florida's Natural Growers in Lake Wales, FL and Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL. He was a member of and Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Meade, FL, a member of the Fort Meade High School graduating class of 1962, a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. Mr. Fort was proud to serve his country as a U.S. Army veteran, his community, his church and work in the citrus industry that he loved. His grandchildren would like everybody to know he was a good man and a good Poppa.

Mr. Fort was preceded in death by his father, Richard Allen Fort, Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Melissa Harville Fort; daughter, Mary Sue Fort Doerr; mother, Mary Varn Fort; and grandchildren, Melina Rose Matrajt and Brett Michael Doerr. Additionally, he is survived by brothers, Dr. Charles Robert Fort and wife Carol, James Edwin Fort and wife Connie; sisters, Mary Anne Whiteside and Jack Fowler, Jr., Barbara Lee Thomas and husband Steve, Betty Lou Wallace and husband Terry, Beverly Lynn Shepard and husband William, and with many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 15, 2018 in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 118 N. Pine Ave., Fort Meade, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations go to the Humane Society of Polk County, 3195 Dundee Rd., Winter Haven, FL 33881 or Haven Hospice, 4200 N.W. 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.

Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mr. Richard A. Fort Jr., please visit our flower store.

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