John Elmore

WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. John W. Elmore of Winter Haven, who owned Elmore's Heating & Air for 23 years, died of Alzheimer's disease Thursday (Aug. 17, 2006) at Good Shepherd Hospice. He was 69.Born Sept. 18, 1936, in Marianna, Mr. Elmore moved to Winter Haven from Madrid, Spain, in 1956. While living in Spain as an Air Force serviceman, he met and married his wife, Maria."He was still a young man sowing his oats," said his son, Richard E. Elmore of Winter Haven. "The family didn't expect that."After returning to Polk County, he began working odd jobs. He credited Clyde Graham, who owned Mann Sheet Metal, with giving him his first big job."Graham took a shine to my dad. His entire family did," his son said.Graham showed Mr. Elmore the elements of air conditioning repair and sheet-metal work. When several restaurants approached Mr. Elmore with work contracts, Elmore's Heating & Air became its own business."Graham gave him his blessing," his son said. Mr. Elmore owned the business for 23 years and provided honest service to customers. "He wasn't money hungry. He just liked helping people."Mr. Elmore is survived by his wife, Maria P. Elmore; sons, Richard E. Elmore, Winter Haven, Edwin R. Elmore, Tampa, John R. Elmore, Rome, Michael A. Elmore, Madrid; daughter, Elizabeth McKay, Istanbul, Turkey; sisters, Katherine Newsome, Bert McDonald, Dorothy O'Dea and Alice Elmore, all of Winter Haven; half-brother, Jessie Lynn Elmore, Winter Haven; and four grandchildren.Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice. Steele's Family Funeral Services, Winter Haven.