Royce D. Upthegrove

Royce D. Upthegrove 85 of Fort Meade passed away on Sunday July 11, 2010 at his daughters residence in Bartow. Born in Okeechobee, FL on Dec. 9, 1924 he resided in Fort Meade and Okeechobee both before becoming a permanent resident of Fort Meade in 1974. He worked as a Drag Line Operator in the Construction Industry. Royce served in the United States Marine Corp for Seven years and was a WWII and Korean War Veteran. He also attended the New Beginnings Church in Fort Meade. Royce was preceded in death by his parents Harley and Murray Upthegrove; brother Gordon Upthegrove and a sister Doris Upthegrove. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Martha Lee Upthegrove of Fort Meade. Six children; son Robert Upthegrove and wife Joyce of Plant City; son Royce Jr. "Tiny" Upthegrove and wife Deanna "Dee Dee" of Fort Meade; daughter Roxanne Upthegrove of Bartow; son Rocky Upthegrove and wife Linda of Bartow; son Danny Upthegrove of Lake Wales and son Reese Upthegrove and wife Wendy of Bartow; one sister Wanda D’Agostina of Atlanta, GA. Also seventeen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The visitation will be held Wednesday July 14, 2010 from 6-8pm at McLean Funeral Home 306 East Broadway Fort Meade, FL 33841. Funeral services will follow on Thursday at 10am at the New Beginning Church 3920 Hwy 98 East Fort Meade, FL 33841. The committal service with military honors will follow at 2:30pm at Florida National Cemetery 6502 S.W. 102nd Ave. Bushnell, FL 33513 In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans 303 South Veterans Ave. Lakeland, FL 33815. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcleanfuneralhome.net