Michael D. Varner
February 8, 2013
Michael D. Varner passed away on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born in Highland Falls, NY on October 8, 1953. His life was devoted to learning and to serving with joy.
A 1971 graduate of Niceville High School, Mike attended Okaloosa-Walton Community College and briefly USF, but went on to earn both his BS and MST degrees from the University of West Florida.
Mr. Varner was an exceptional teacher and received many accolades including Who’s Who Among Teachers, Florida Biology Teacher of the Year and Escambia County Teacher of the Year 2011. A humble man, he would say he only wanted to help his students become the best they could be. He taught biology for 35 years at Tate High School and was an adjunct professor at Pensacola State College for 10 years. Additionally, during his career, he coached soccer, sponsored student government, both the sophomore and senior classes, and Exchange Club. He also taught classes at the Florida Institute of Ultrasound. His teaching extended to church activities as well, teaching Sunday School, assisting with Youth Ministry for nearly 20 years, and planning, organizing and participating in many diocesan youth events.
A talented musician, Mike played in the Pensacola Civic Band in his younger years, but then discovered his love of guitar and singing. This gift, too, he shared with many young people as he helped them discover their own talents. He wrote and recorded several songs and often played at church worship, school and parties. It had been his unrealized dream to entertain in night clubs when he retired.
Mike was active in the Boy Scouts of America for nearly 10 years and loved the outdoors. He was an avid camper, hiker, bicyclist, soccer player, golfer and gardener.
At heart, Mike would call himself a simple man. He loved to read and challenge his mind. But his greatest passion was his family, and nothing made him happier than spending time with his wife and sons. He could often be found doing yard work and home projects as he was a consummate home body.
He is preceded in death by his twin infant sons, Matthew Ryan and Shaun David Varner.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Kathleen (Wogan) Varner; his sons, Jason (Kelly) of Orlando and Brian (Jessica). He also leaves his parents, Richard and Madeleine Varner of DeFuniak Springs; sister, Valarie (Paul) Trynoski of Sansom, AL; brother, Richard (Ann) of Tavares, FL; brother-in-law, Michael Wogan of Alameda, CA; nephew, Adam (Rachael) Trynoski; niece, Alice (Sam) Taylor and thousands of colleagues, friends and former students who loved him.
His family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Palaez, Dr. Patel and the staff of the West Florida Cancer Center, the loving staff of West Florida Covenant Hospice, Covenant Hospice Milton, and home care aides Rutha and Jackie for their kindness. We also wish to thank the hundreds of people who faithfully supported us and provided for our needs during this long journey.
Visitation will be at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home on Monday, February 11 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Michael Schulenburg, will be on Saturday, February 16, 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 N. 9th Ave. in Pensacola. A private internment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s memory to the Michael Varner Scholarship Fund (Tate High School) for students who plan to continue study in the field of biology.
Faith Chapel North Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Man Gets 11 Years For Shooting
February 8, 2013
An Escambia County man was sentenced to almost 11 years in prison Thursday for a 2010 robbery gone wrong that ended with a murder.
Jarvis Lamar Jessie, 27, was sentenced to 10.8 years in prison for the shooting death of Donald Diego Turner, who was shot outside of his home in the 1600 block of Augusta Avenue on March 21, 2010.
Jessie pleaded no contest to manslaughter. He received the reduced sentence for testifying against co-defendant Charmdar Turner. Turner, who was convicted of second degree murder, will be sentenced next month.
Jacqueline E. “Jackie” James
February 8, 2013
Mrs. Jacqueline E. “Jackie” James, 73, of Atmore, passed away February 6, 2013, in Atmore. She was born November 25, 1939, in Mobile to the late Claude C. and Myrtle Driskell Eubanks. She is preceded in death by her husband William E. James, Jr. and a brother Mike Eubanks. She loved and enjoyed her family and Alabama football.
She is survived by her sons, William “Bill” (Rita) James, III. of Atmore, and Claude W. James of Atmore; brothers, Gary Wayne (Sandy) Eubanks of Mobile, Charles Ray (Mary Lane) Eubanks of Stockton, James Earl (Sherry) Eubanks of Mobile, Richard (Betty) McVay Eubanks of Semmes, and Larry Grant (Donna) Eubanks of Theodore; granddaughters, Joanna James, Sara Dunn, Heather Dunn and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 2 p.m. from the Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore with Rev. Scott Allen officiating.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
David Willis Bell, Jr.
February 8, 2013
David Willis Bell, Jr., age 40, of Jay, passed away February 5, 2013, in Pensacola. He was born to David Willis Bell, Sr. and Sue Simmons Bell on January 18, 1973, in Dallas, Texas. He moved to Pensacola in 1996 and resided in Jay since 1997. He was employed with Security Fence from 2000 to 2007 then began his truck driving occupation with Florida Gas as a member of the Florida Gas Special Projects Team. He loved hunting but his favorite hobby was boating and skiing with his son and daughter. He was a loving son, father and brother and will be truly missed.
He is preceded in death by his father, David Willis Bell, Sr, and special niece Jessica.
He is survived by his children, son, Cody Bell and daughter, Lacie Bell; mother, Sue Bell; sisters, Diana Roys and Brenda Williams; the mother of his children, Jill Culbreth; friend, Cheyanne Bishop and numerous relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, February 8, 2013, at Jay Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Lassiter officiating. Burial was at Cobbtown Holiness Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were the members of his Special Projects Team “A” Crew, Phillip Enfinger, Ray Morris, Bert Settle, Brad Bledsoe, Luis Roca and Mark Jones. Honorary pallbearers were members of the other Special Project Teams, Wade Collins, Robert Calhoun, Donald Edwards, Phillip Fisher, Brad Polk, Pat Jordan, George White, Charlie Starling, Ricky O’Bryan, Greg Steadham, John Moore, and Jacob Coon and long time friends Gary McMillian and Jimmy Polk.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Cody and Lacie Bell Trust Fund, Escambia County Bank in Flomaton.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Motorcyclist Injured In Hwy 29 Hit And Run Crash
February 7, 2013
One person was injured in a hit and run crash Thursday afternoon involving a motorcycle.
The accident happened about 4:10 on Highway 29 southbound at Morris Avenue in Cantonment. The motorcycle driver was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Witnesses told authorities that an older model blue station wagon with wood grain panels was involved in the crash but fled the scene. The station wagon reportedly rear-ended the motorcycle, pushing it into a pickup.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured top and inset: A motorcycle driver was injured in a hit and run crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 29 at Morris Avenue in Cantonment. Pictured below: Portions of the grill from a station wagon involved in a hit and run crash Thursday afternoon in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash
February 7, 2013
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident about 8:30 Thursday morning on Highway 29 near Barrineau Park Road. The driver of an Isuzu SUV lost control and ran off the roadway into a wooded area. The adult male was transported to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Cantonment House Fire Ruled Arson
February 7, 2013
The Florida State Fire Marshal says arson was the cause of a morning fire that heavily damaged a Cantonment home during a downpour.
A passerby saw flames on the roof and called 911 to report the fire in the 900 block of Muscogee Road, just east of Nowak Road, about 9:00 Thursday morning. The wood frame home was involved in fire when the first firefighters arrived on scene shortly after the fire was reported by a passerby. The home suffered fire, smoke and water damage throughout.
The homeowner told investigators that the home was vacant, but he was letting a vagrant stay there. That vagrant allegedly left the home unlocked, and someone else apparently entered the home and intentionally started the fire. The home suffered about $35,000 worth of damage.
There were no injuries reported.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Cantonment, Molino, McDavid, Beulah and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded the blaze, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured: Fire damaged this home on Muscogee Road in Cantonment Thursday morning as seen in these photos taken before the first fire engine arrived on scene. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
From Downpours To Rainbows
February 7, 2013
Morning downpours and clouds gave way to a rainbow in Atmore Thursday morning, as seen over Lindberg Avenue and South Main Street. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ingram Seeks To Widen Ban On Spice, Synthetic Drugs
February 7, 2013
Wednesday, Rep. Clay Ingram filed a new bill that would widen the ban on synthetic drugs — commonly called “spice,” “K2” or “bath salts.” Marketed as legal alternatives to illicit drugs like cocaine and marijuana, these toxic compounds can cause extreme side effects including paranoia, hallucinations, seizures and psychotic episodes.
“Florida is facing a growing epidemic with these types of synthetic substances,” said Rep. Ingram, whose district includes North Escambia. “They’re marketed under harmless-sounding names designed to intentionally target children, but these are incredibly dangerous drugs that jeopardize people’s lives.”
Prior legislation, passed in 2011, banned certain types of synthetic drugs in Florida, but chemists have begun developing new compounds not covered by existing law. In response, Attorney General Pam Bondi signed an emergency rule in December that temporarily made a new set of 22 synthetic drugs illegal. In conjunction with a Senate Bill filed last month by Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park), HB 619 will make that ban permanent, as well as make possession of the newly-banned substances punishable by up to a year in jail. Individuals who sell or manufacture the drugs may be charged with a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in jail.
“Chemists are creating new compounds to try and skirt the law,” Ingram continued. “Attorney General Bondi took an important step in issuing an emergency rule, and I look forward to working with Sen. Bradley to provide the necessary legislative support to make that rule permanent and keep our citizens, and especially our children, safe from these toxic drugs.”
Cantonment Man Convicted Of Opening Fire Outside Nightclub
February 7, 2013
A 21-year old Cantonment man has been sentenced to time in the county jail for opening fire with a rifle outside of a Pensacola nightclub.
Davaress Lee Dixon of Pace Parkway was sentenced to 10 months by Judge J. Scott Duncan on a felony charge of discharging a firearm in public.
The incident happened at the now closed Live Nightclub on Pensacola Boulevard at Nine Mile Road, next to the Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, on July 5, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Dixon fired six shots into the air after a 21-year old male was allegedly attacked in the parking lot by four other males.