JOSEPH B. TEDDER

JOSEPH B. TEDDER, 83
Certified Public Accountant

LAKELAND - Joseph B. Tedder, 83, passed away at Lakeland Regional Health on Friday, March 20, 2015.
Joe was born in Taylor County, FL June 23, 1931, and lived in Lakeland since 1964. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1961. He was a Certified Public Accountant and opened Tedder, Grimsley, and Company CPA firm in Lakeland before merging with another local firm at the time of his retirement. He was active in the Lakeland community serving on the Lakeland Regional Medical Center Board for several years and Board Chairman from 1984-85. He served on the YMCA steering committee which founded the Lakeland YMCA, and helped establish the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Polk County Chapter serving also as President. Joe served on the 1976, Polk County Bi-Centennial Committee, Polk County Economic Development Council, Lakeland Boys Club Board and the United Way Board. Joe was a lifetime member of the Downtown Lakeland Kiwanis Club. In 1988 he was featured in the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants Journal as Public Service Volunteer of the Year and was awarded the Downtown Lakeland Rotary Four Way Test Award.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Elma Tedder; brothers, Curtis and Ernest; sister, Virginia Rowell. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty McCoy Tedder; brother, Russell Tedder of Little Rock, AK; and his children, Janice Jones (husband Stephen), and Joseph G. Tedder (wife Tracey). He is also survived by three grandchildren, Matthew Jones (wife Brittany), Stephanie Jones, and Joseph W. Tedder. He is survived by twenty nieces and nephews, and countless great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joseph B. Tedder was known by friends as Joe, and family as J.B. He parents instilled in him to be kind to all, love your family and take pride in your work. He loved his job because of the people it allowed him to meet and impact in a positive way. He will be remembered as a man with a warm smile, a contagious laugh, and a giant heart. He could talk with anyone and make them feel comfortable with a soft slap on the back or a warm hug. Joe was a member of Crystal Lake United Methodist Church from 1964 to 1987, and First United Methodist Church from 1987 to 2015.
A celebration of life will be held at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland on Monday, March 23, 2015, at 10am with a reception following. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at 11am in Tallahassee, FL at the Johnson-Moore Family Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the YMCA of West Central Florida, 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803 or Lakeland Regional Health Foundation, 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com.