Theodore M Barnwell Jr.'s Obituary
Theodore M. Barnwell Jr. was born on December 26, 1942.
Known as “Teddy” throughout his youth, he loved playing numerous sports and causing general mischief with his neighborhood buddies.
Once he became the more adult “Ted,” there were many nights spent in Gary Park playing baseball and making lifelong friends. Later, he played fast pitch softball at Cuscaden Park and coached for Wellswood Little League in the Senior National League.
He was an involved father, and later grandfather, whose face would beam with pride when he spoke of them.
Ted’s career consisted of more than 50 loyal years of work in distribution sales and management, which he enjoyed immensely. He was known as a knowledgeable and thoughtful employee and remembered the name and order of every client he had, even years later.
A 1960 graduate of Hillsborough High School, he spent many years since chanting, “Go Big Red!” In good years and bad, he remained a faithful fan of the Florida Gators. Ted never forgot a joke and would have one ready at the drop of a hat – to the dismay of his wife who had heard the same ones over and over throughout the years.
All his life, but especially in retirement, Ted loved being on the golf course with close friends and fishing with family.
Ted passed away peacefully at home on September 22, 2023, surrounded by family. Ted will be remembered as a believer in God, who treasured his family and friends.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and Theodore M. Barnwell Sr.; mother- and father-in-law, Katie and Jim Wheless; sister, Rose and brother -in- law, Talmadge Bigbie; brother- and sister-in-law Nathan Sr. and Maria Holton; brother-in-law Robert Adams; and nephews Ron Bigbie and Nathan Holton Jr.
Ted is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ada Wheless Barnwell of Tampa; sons Mark (Terri) Barnwell of Resaca, Georgia, and Darrin (Cherie) Barnwell of Tampa; granddaughters Kayla (Anthony) Campanello of Tampa and Payton Barnwell of Atlanta, Georgia; great-granddaughter Everly Campanello of Tampa; sister-in-law Jimmie Adams of Tampa; nieces Dolores (Woody) Wadsworth of Riverview and Natalie Holton of Wesley Chapel; great-niece Rhonda (Bruce) Meeks of Riverview; great-nephew Ryan (Rebecca) Bigbie of Deland; great-great-nieces Kendal Meeks and Layton Meeks of Riverview; and great-great-nephews Trevor Meeks of Riverview and Theodore Bigbie of Deland.
A celebration of Ted’s life will be held on November 19, 2023, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Seminole Heights Garden Center located at 5800 N. Central Avenue in Tampa.
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