QP Wambles

In Loving Memory of QP Wambles

June 28, 1936 - October 27, 2026

QP Wambles, 90, of Babson Park, Florida, passed away on October 27, 2026. Born on June 28, 1936, in Bluff Springs, Alabama, QP lived a life defined by hard work, determination, an unwavering devotion to his family, and а stubborn spirit that those who knew him will never forget.

QP was a man who believed that a hard day's work was simply part of a good day's living. He spent much of his life as a grove caretaker, tending to Florida's citrus groves with the dedication and perseverance that characterized everything he did. He also raised cattle and horses, embracing a way of life that demanded patience, strength, and a willingness to get his hands dirty.

Retirement did little to slow him down. Whether tinkering with something that needed fixing, tending to his property, or finding another project to occupy his hands, QP was never particularly interested in sitting still. There was always something that needed doing, and he was usually the man to do it.

For his children, growing up alongside him meant long days in the orange groves, riding the pastures, feeding cattle, building barbed-wire fences, and learning firsthand what it meant to work hard. Those lessons were not always appreciated in childhood, but with age came an understanding of the values he had quietly instilled: perseverance, responsibility, self-reliance, and pride in a job well done.

QP was a cowboy at heart. As a younger man, he rode horses bareback, displaying the adventurous spirit and toughness that would remain with him throughout his life. He was strong-willed, fiercely independent, and rarely one to back down from a challenge.

Perhaps no story captures his character more vividly than an incident during an otherwise ordinary weekend working cattle. One of his children inadvertently found themselves between a mother cow and her calf. The cow charged, and in that instant, QP did not hesitate. Without a thought for his own safety, he stepped directly into the animal's path, grabbed her by the horns, and wrestled her to the ground, stopping the charge and protecting his child. It was the kind of moment that revealed exactly who he was. He was not an exceptionally large or imposing man, but in that moment, he demonstrated a strength that had little to do with physical stature. It was the instinctive courage of a father whose love for his children outweighed any concern for his own safety. When his family needed him, he acted.

Of course, QP also had a competitive streak and a sense of humor that could catch people by surprise. On one memorable occasion, he was challenged by the children at Mrs. Peggy's daycare to a foot race and won! It was just one of the many stories that illustrated his playful side and his refusal to let age dictate what he could or could not do.

Those who knew QP will remember a man who was funny, stubborn, hardworking, and unapologetically himself. He had his own way of doing things and convincing him otherwise was seldom an easy task. But beneath that tough exterior was a man whose love for his family was demonstrated not merely through words, but through a lifetime of actions.

QP is survived by his loving wife, Stephanie Wambles; his three children, Patrick Kalan Turner, Sephra Learmonth, and Quentin Wambles; and six grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings, Dorothy Campbell, Ray Wambles, and James Harold Wambles. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Wyrosdick, and his brother, William Wambles.

Ninety years is a lifetime of stories, and QP certainly gave his family plenty to tell. From the orange groves and cattle pastures to the countless projects that kept his hands busy, his life was a testament to perseverance, independence, and the enduring value of hard work.

His legacy endures not only in the memories his family cherishes, but in the lessons they carry forward. The work ethic he instilled, the strength he demonstrated, the laughter he inspired, and the love he showed through his actions will continue to shape the generations that follow.

After all your years of hard work, you have finally earned a rest. Rest easy, Daddy. Thank you for the memories, the laughter, the lessons, and the stories we will continue telling. Your work here is done, but what you built in us will remain. Until we meet again.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at Lake Wales Cemetery.