Girard Gartrell Etheridge, Iii

Girard Gartrell Etheridge III - 57 Lakeland - Girard Gartrell Etheridge III, passed away on November 14, 2015 at Lakeland Regional Health. Girard was born October 7, 1958, in Lakeland, Florida. He lived in Lakeland his entire life. He attended Lakeland High School. While growing up in Lakeland he was very active in the Boy Scouts and both school and community sports; playing football and little league baseball as catcher. He was recognized as one of the outstanding players year after year in Little League. He also enjoyed fishing, especially spending summers at New Smyrna Beach going deep sea fishing on charter boats with his Father, Grandfather and Uncle. His love for fishing continued throughout his lifetime as he was fishing the weekend before his passing. He loved being with his friends on the water fishing at Lake Wales Camp Mack. Girard traveled to Australia, Egypt, Israel, Holy Land, and Europe, in addition to travelling across America. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Foehl Etheridge, Maternal Grandparents, Ethelyn and Elmer Foehl and Paternal Grandarents, Frances and Girard G. Etheridge, Sr. and his beloved pet, Miss Lady an English Pitbull dog. Girard is survived by his father, Girard G. ""Jerry"" Etheridge, Jr., Sister and Brother in Law, Ruth E. and Brian Gardner, and Cousins, Lynne Etheridge and Karl Straussburg. Girard""s family thanks the medical team at Lakeland Regional Health for their loving care. A memorial service for Girard will be held on Thursday, November 19 at First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, with Visitation in the Parlour at 1:00 PM, followed by the Service in the Chapel at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lakeland. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA of Lakeland, 5850 Brannen Road S., Lakeland, FL 33813,http://www.spcaflorida.org/memorial-honor/ or First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com. Service: 11/19/2015 Chapel of First United Methodist Church Parlour of First United Methodist Church Visitation: 11/19/2015 Parlour of First United Methodist Church