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Carl H. Rentz, son of Luke and Grethel Rentz was born on August 7, 1946 in Lake City, Florida, Columbia County. After a brief illness, he answered the Lord's call on Friday, October 11, 2013 at the Lake City VA Medical Center. He was a born again Christian and was a member of Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church where he served as the Chairperson of Memorial Gardens. Carl graduated from Richardson High School in 1964 and furthered his education at Madison Junior College and Florida A & M University with a major in Ornamental Horticulture. He served in the United States Army as an ACFT (helicopter) Mechanic and Repairman. While serving his country, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star and Vietnam Campaign Medal with Overseas Bars. He was currently serving as the First Vice Commander of the Disable American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 20 of Lake City. He spent most of his career as a Locomotive Engineer with CSX Transportation, and made history when he became the first African American Locomotive Engineer in North Florida. He retired from CSX in 2008 after 35 years of dedicated service, but remained a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Carl was an energetic, loving, kind and unique individual who never met a stranger. He was full of wisdom and advice. He was unselfish of his time, energy and love to those who needed him in Lake City and surrounding communities. He was an avid outdoorsman, farmer and entrepreneur. He was preceded in death by his father, Luke Rentz; brothers, Ulysses and Daniel Rentz; and daughter, Maya Rentz.
Left to sustain his legacy; his loving and dedicated wife of 40 years, Shirley Fleming-Rentz; mother, Grethel L. Rentz, Lake City, FL; grandfather-in-law, Confessor Rivera, Baxley, GA; son, Jerry Rentz, Lake City, FL; daughter, Angela Rentz, Debary, Florida; son, Richard Anthony Rentz, Eatonville, Fl; daughter, Makeba Murphy (Andrew), Lake City, FL; son, Khalid Rentz (Kristie), Lake City, FL; sisters, Winnie Richardson, Lake City, FL; Eloise Rentz, Waterbury, CT; brother, Herman Rentz, Lake City, FL; uncles, Jimmy (Ruthie) and Willie (Grace) McClendon, Live Oak, FL; brothers-in-law, Ervin (Hattie) and Arthur Fleming, Lake City, FL and Alphonso Fleming (Linda), Minneapolis, MN; sister-in-law, Barbara Fleming, Live Oak, FL; (14) grandchildren; (1) great grandchild; special cousin, Saul Rentz (Delores); long time childhood friend, Hayward McGuire; goddaughters, Ruth Williams, Neesha Watson-Stephens, Sylvia McArthur and Mia Carter; hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Funeral services for Carl H. Rentz will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Christ Central Ministries. 359 SW Dyal Avenue. Lake City, Florida. Lonnie Johns, Pastor. Officiant, Pastor Isadore Williams.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Friday, October 18, 2013 at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church. 8406 SW CR 242. Lake City, FL.
Arrangements entrusted to COMBS FUNERAL HOME. 292 NE Washington Street. Lake City, FL (386) 752-4366. Marq Combs-Turner, L.F.D. "The Caring Professionals"
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
On behalf of the Carl H. Rentz family, I would like to thank each and everyone of you for the taking the time to enter beautiful words of comfort and encouragement. We miss him terribly and each day is a journey and we never know what the next moment will feel like. We know that Carl is resting with the Lord. We thank you for your prayers and all other acts of kindness during this difficult time for us. God is keeping us and we rely on him totally. It does our heart well to know that Carl was loved and thought of so fondly. We love you all. It is our prayer that God will keep and bless each of you. With Love, Shirley Rentz and the entire Carl Rentz Family
November 11, 2013
My sympathy to the Rentz family. Our lost her on earth is great, but Heavens gain is greater.
Thanks for mentoring me, and for all for the wisdom you shared.
May you rest in peace as you continue to be an angel to those you love.
You will be missed.
Sherron/CSX
Sherron DeCoteau
November 7, 2013
To the entire Rentz family
Words cannot describe how I will miss my "good buddy" and I cannot believe that you are not here.
Rest in peace "good buddy" because I know when my time comes you will look out for me just like you did on earth. Carl Henry Rentz is a special angel that can never be replaced.....
We(I) will always love you my "good buddy"....until we meet again
Jiles & Faye Hall
November 7, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about Carl's passing. My thoughts & prayers are with you Shirley and family.
Nancy Adams
October 21, 2013
I pray for peace and understanding for Mrs. Shirley, Makeba, and one of my favorite cousins Khalid, I'm honored to say I had a chance to know Mr. Carl Rentz, his LEGACY will live forever.
Fess Hightower
October 21, 2013
may god be with your family in this time of need. I will turely miss my friend.
c. taylor
October 19, 2013
To the family of Mr Rentz glad to share the time we spent. When he transport our coal trains down to Seminole Electric plant. We will miss him. Crew A.
Elijah Lowery
October 19, 2013
Carl you will truly be miss by us all..Love Marcus
Marcus Williams
October 19, 2013
To The Rentz Family:
May God comfort all of you during your time of loss. Carl is in His presence and any pain that he was going through is gone now. He is at peace.
Donna Wintons-James
October 19, 2013
We just had the pleasure of being in Carl's presence @ the Flemings Family Reunion in June, 2013 and thank God we had the opportunity to see him well amd smiling and enjoying family amd friends. To Cousin Shirely and the rest of the family, May God Bless and Keep your hearts during this time. We love you , Cousin Curtis & Brenda Thomas
Curtis & Brenda Thomas
October 18, 2013
You Will Be Truly Missed
Tremeka Fluellen
October 18, 2013
To the Rentz Family
During this time, may you fondly remember the good things about your loved one. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.
Ms. Donnie Colson and daughter, Kimberly N. Parnell
Lake City, FL
October 18, 2013
Shirley:
We are deeply saddened to hear of Carl's death. We will treasure the memories we had when we came to visit. We will miss him.
We lift you and your family up in prayer during this time of sorrow.
Benita, Karz, Kam & Kyler Miller
Renita, Keita, & Mavis Hollins
Benita Miller
October 18, 2013
Prayers for the Rentz family.
God Bless
Clifford & Cynthia Kirby
October 18, 2013
To the Rentz family
God has received a special and friendly person to all who met Carl. Earth has lost another good friend.
Joyce Bolton Townsend Jacksonville, Fl
Curtis Lott Auburn Ga
Former F A M U classmates
October 18, 2013
To the Rentz family. The whole congregation of Gainesville Church of Christ join me in expressing our sympathy to you as you mourn the death of this fine man. But we rejoice in the hope that was his, and ours, in Christ.
Min. Don Dickerson
October 17, 2013
Our prayers are with the family. May God bless and keep you day by day.
CSX co-worker
Ronald Cuthpert
October 17, 2013
TO:RENTZ FAMILY&FRIEND
MR.CARL WILL TRULY BE MISSED
MY BUDDY&FRIEND, WE SEND OUR GREATEST,DEEPEST, SYMPATHY,IN YOUR ENDUREING, TIMES MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE.
Chaz Washington & (This&That)store
October 17, 2013
Rest in Peace/Paradise Cousin Carl.
Robin Rentz-Cope
October 17, 2013
Our hearts are sadden for the loss of such a good man of God and of mankind. May God keep you and bless you in your time of loss.
Rev. Aaron T. Lewis and wife Verdie
October 17, 2013
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Janie Fleming-Pearson
October 17, 2013
Our prayers go to entire family. Shirley if you and the children need anything you know where to find us. We never know when we are going to go home to be with God we have do the best we can while we are here.
Blondell Johnson
October 17, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
JANET STATEN
October 17, 2013
JANET STATEN
October 17, 2013
To the Rentz family - I grant you my deepest sympathy and love. May God comfort each of you when you find yourselves missing him the most.
Virginia Perry-Aldridge
October 17, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Be strong.
Gertrude Bell
October 17, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
ARAMENTHA CALHOUN STRINGFIELD
October 17, 2013
Dearest Family,
May precious memories live in your hearts forever. Deepest Sympathy and Prayers.
Joan,Janice Clark/Johnson
October 17, 2013
Missing my Pops
Angela Rentz
October 17, 2013
Sorry for your loss carl was good firend, he be miss by all that knew him god keep ur all & bless all of you. R.I.P MR. CARL H. RENTZ.
ALPHONSO FUDGE
October 17, 2013
Shirley I am so sorry to hear about your husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you know that God is in control. Stay encouraged and keep God first. Love you
Rose Riley
October 17, 2013
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE ENTIRE RENTZ FAMILY. CARL WAS MY CLASSMATE AT RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU. LOVE CATHERINE BENNETT-RAINES, VALDOSTA, GA.
October 17, 2013
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