Spessard Holland Iii

1955 - 2014

Spessard Lindsey Holland, III

Spessard Lindsey Holland, III, son of William Benjamin Holland and Claudia Croy Burton, was born in Lakeland, Florida, on September 23, 1955. He lived his first seven years in Winter Haven where his father practiced law but was a resident most of his life in Tallahassee, Havana, and Carrabelle, Florida. Spessard died surrounded by his family on August 4, 2014, at the age of 58. He was a proud namesake and grandson of former Florida governor and U.S. Senator Spessard L. Holland, Sr.

A 1973 Florida High School graduate, Spessard subsequently earned certifications in electronics and in radio and television repair from Lively Vocational-Technical School. He worked for many years at Monk's Office Machines, a local family-owned business, followed by its corporate successors Danka Corporation and Konica Minolta, Inc. His ability to repair complex machinery was unparalleled, which he always attributed to the close team of professionals with whom he worked. His clients loved him.

Spessard married the love of his life, Theresa "Cricket" Gunnels, on November 28, 1997, in Apalachicola, FL. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed and respected all aspects of the natural world. He deeply loved the sea and underwater life. Some of his happiest memories were of fishing with his brother and friends in the Gulf. Spessard also enjoyed working with his hands and inventing. He built two wonderful homes, one in Havana and the other in Carrabelle, largely with his own hands, with some help from loyal friends.

Spessard is survived by his wife, Theresa "Cricket" Holland of Havana, Florida; mother, Claudia C. Burton, and brother, William B. Holland, Jr., of Tallahassee; sister, Claudia "Toi" Holland McBride and her husband, Dr. Randy McBride, and their son, Wyatt McBride, of Fairfax, Virginia; stepson, Delaney Johnson, and granddaughter, Rylee Johnson, of Tallahassee and Bristol, Florida, respectively; aunt, Gail Croy of Tallahassee; and numerous loving cousins and other relatives.

Spessard was preceded in death by his father, William Benjamin Holland; paternal grandparents, Spessard L. and Mary G. Holland; and maternal grandparents, George P. and Minnie L. Croy.

Spessard requested that memorial contributions be made to Big Bend Hospice (1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308; www.bigbendhospice.org), the ALS Association (1275 K Street, NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20005; www.alsa.org), Carrabelle Cares (701 Marine St, Carrabelle, FL 32322; www.carrabellecares.org), or to a charity of the donor's choice.

The Memorial service will be at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Tallahassee (120 West Park Avenue Tallahassee, FL. 32301)

Faith Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements (850-539-4300 or www.faithfuneralhome.com)