Harold Rayford Gornto

Harold Rayford Gornto, 96, of Palatka passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Vintage Care assisted living facility in Palatka, following a brief illness.
A lifelong resident of Putnam County, he was born and grew up in the Grandin area and lived his entire adult life in Satsuma and Welaka. He attended local schools and served in the U.S. Merchant Marines. He had been a member of the Lions Club of Crescent City and was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Fruitland. He retired in the 1980s after 33 years of service as a supervisor with the State of Florida Conservation Reserve in Welaka.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Shella Gornto; a son, Douglas Gornto; parents, Rayford and Irene Gornto; four brothers, and a sister.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Ralph Leverette of Pomona Park; two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Charlene Gornto of Hawthorne, and Randy and Patricia Gornto of Avon Park; a sister, Violet Rayford of Hilliard; a brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Jean Gornto of Kentucky; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will 10 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025 (today), at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in Fruitland with Pastor Roger Phillips officiating.
Messages of sympathy may be shared on Harold's online tribute page at: themastersfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Vintage Care, 203 S. Moody Road, Palatka, FL 32177. 
Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.