Douglass Kellogg Harwell, Sr.

Douglass K. Harwell, Sr. (Feb. 16, 1917-Nov. 30, 2013) Douglass K. Harwell, Sr. of Lakeland, FL, patriot and part of Lakeland""s early history, died from natural causes at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Saturday morning. Mr. D.K, as he would become known around town, was born in Inaha, GA, February 16, 1917. His family moved to Plant City in 1928 where his father raised strawberries. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop #5 where he earned his Eagle Scout designation. That Troop had 76 members, 36 of whom became Eagle Scouts. He and his wife of 70 years, Thelma Waller (Mimi to their family), married in 1938. She preceded him in death in 2008, a loss he struggled with until his death. During his early working life, he was a telegraph operator. He worked for several large hotels and resorts until he entered the Army Air Force. He came to Lakeland in 1946 after World War II. He and his wife along with her father and his brother, opened the first self-service wash house in Lakeland on Massachusetts Ave. (on the site of the new Tax Collector""s Office). The wash house, equipped with ringer type washers and water heated in a large boiler outside, flourished and soon grew into a dry cleaner/fur storage facility. After falling from a horse and breaking his hip in 1963, he sold the property to George Jenkins who built a Publix Supermarket (one of the first with the distinctive Publix design that soon became known across the State of Florida) and the dry cleaner/fur storage to Polly Prim. Mr. D.K. went into the insurance sales business and later the real estate/construction business (D.K. Harwell, REALTOR/Builder). He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of Lodge 91, Master Mason 32nd Degree and member of the Scottish Rite, and a past president of the Lakeland Board of Realtors. Mr. D.K. will be missed by the Lakeland Community where he was known as a man who could and did provide quality homes for families throughout Lakeland. He worked with individual families by financing homes and counseling them regarding their credit in order for families to take over the financing through traditional means. He loved farming and his family can attest to the bumper sweet corn crops he raised until he was unable to direct the farming operation. Washing and preparing corn for the freezer was a cherished memory of all the children, grand children, and great grandchildren. He was a devoted member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church until the church closed. He then joined Lake Gibson United Methodist Church but was unable to attend regularly due to his declining health and strength. Douglass K. Harwell, Sr., Papa, to his family, was preceded in death by Thelma, his wife of 70 years, his brothers Edwin, Paul, George, and Barney, and his mother and father. He is survived by sons, Douglass, K. Harwell, Jr. (Sandra), Glenn Harwell (Susan), his daughter, Elizabeth Harwell Ellis (James); Grandsons Daniel Ellis (Brooke), Douglass K. Harwell, III (Teresa), Brian Harwell (Kim); Russell Harwell (Cara), and Michael Harwell; Granddaughters, Deborah Ellis Wooten Darby (Daniel); and Sharon Harwell Richard (David); and 11 great grandchildren; and many cousins in the Harwell, Kellogg, Douglass, Mabry, and Durand families. Visitation will be at Heath Funeral Home Chapel at 1- 1:30PM on Wednesday, Dec.4, with the funeral services to follow. Interment will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Plant City following the service. Service: 12/04/2013 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Inraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 12/04/2013 Heath Funeral Chapel