John H. Fort, Sr.

John H. Fort, Sr., 86

John H. Fort, Sr. of Winter Haven passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Winter Haven Hospital.

He was born February 8, 1937 in Graceville, Florida to the late William and Mattie Fort; he moved to Winter Haven from his hometown in 1955. John was a retired Master Sargeant for the United States Air Force and was a Major for the Department of Corrections for the State of Florida. He was the oldest member of First Baptist Church of Waverly and loved fishing, gardening, traveling and attending his grandchildren’s sports events.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Fort; son, John Fort, Jr.; and sisters, Myrtle West, Flora Nagle, and Mildred Bacon. He is survived by his daughters, Sheri Ann Fort of Shellman, Georgia and Patricia Jane Bodell and husband Thomas of Winter Haven; grandchildren, Clint Hutchinson and wife Crystal of Leesburg, Georgia, Dalton Bodell of Winter Haven, Rylee Bodell of Winter Haven, and Samantha Bodell of Winter Haven; greatgrandchildren, Bailey Hutchinson and Gage Hutchinson of Leesburg, Georgia; several nephews and their families; and dog, Scooter.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home with Rev. David Durham officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Wales Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor can be made to the First Baptist Church of Waverly Building Fund, 706 South Orange Avenue, Waverly, Florida 33877.