Final Call
The Central Florida Officials Association would like to acknowledge members, officials, family and friends that have completed their final call and have passed on. This page is dedicated to them, their families, friends and loved ones so they might know we have remembered them and the life that was a part of our team. Play your game with honor and when the time clock expires, may it be said, "You're a true winner in every way."
Listings are in descending order (most recent first).
Officials that were CFOA members are designated with an honored whistle 
and also listed on the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE page.
Prince E. Pollard, Jr.
January 7, 1945 - November 5, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Pollard family. Prince was a long-time CFOA official and an inductee into our first year (2008) Hall of Fame.
Service details:
Visitation: NOV 15. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Service: NOV 16. 11:00 AM
Pleasant View Baptist Church,
1202 S. Central Ave., Apopka, FL 32703
Cemetery Details:
Edgewood Cemetery ~ Apopka
141 South Edgewood Drive,
Apopka, FL 32703
Visit Prince's memorial page to share a memory or send condolences to the family.
https://www.zandersfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Prince-Pollard/
Michelle Irey
Sad news to report; Don Irey's wife, Michelle, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don. The memorial service will be held Monday, October 14th, 3 pm, at Tuskawilla United Methodist Church.
Bonnie Pula
Chuck Pula, CFOA Basketball Official and Hall of Fame member announced that his beautiful wife Bonnie Pula, the Love of his life, who was an awesome Woman of God went to be with Jesus in Heaven. A memorial service for her will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10 am at Calvary Assembly Orlando.
Michael Shane Abner Obituary
Michael Shane Abner
March 26, 1974 - March 13, 2024
Oviedo
Michael “Shane” Abner, age 49, passed away on March 13, 2024. He was a beloved father, grandfather, husband, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Born on March 26, 1974 in Hamilton, OH, Shane was the youngest child of Michael Edward Abner and Carolyn Ann Abner. He served his country in the Navy, was a policeman, realtor, referee and coach.
But more than anything, Shane was a devoted father. He loved spending time with his children, sharing stories, enjoying the great outdoors and supporting their extracurricular activities. He was always there to offer guidance, support, and encouragement, no matter what challenges they faced.
In his free time Shane enjoyed his sports, music and movies. These three areas of interest were his passion that led him to coach numerous teams, attend 100’s of concerts and own a large library of movie selections. He was known for his infectious laughter, his kind heart, and his willingness to help others.
Shane is survived by his loving wife, Amy, his children, Myranda, Olivia and Nate, his grandchild, Bryson, his sister and brother-in-law Lisa and Laurent Carrasco, niece Ana, nephew Sam, and sisters Dawn Abner and Leslie Closson. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him. A Celebration of Life will be held in early May, details will be provided as soon as available. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge.
Celebration of Life for Deacon James Moten
Join the family and friends of Deacon James "Jim" Moten, a CFOA distinguished service member and 2009 HOF inductee, in a celebration of his life. A viewing will be held Friday, June 9th, 2023, 4pm-6pm. His Homegoing service will be held Saturday, June 10th at 12:00 pm. Both services are at Tangelo Baptist Church, 7001 Ravenna Ave, Orlando, FL 32819.
Sheryl Love
It is with sadness that I report that Tom Love's wife passed away this past week.
Sheryl Love was a beloved member of the Tuskawilla Methodist Church on Red Bug Road. On Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 6 pm, there will be a memorial service for Sheryl in the sanctuary, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.
Please keep Tom and his family in your prayers and thoughts. All are welcome to share in this time of remembering Sheryl's life.
Thanks,
Mitch Fazzio
VP of Football, CFOA
Travis J. Sherwin Obituary • January 26, 1968 ~ January 08, 2023
Travis J. Sherwin, age 54, of Jupiter FL, passed away on January 8, 2023, after a brief stay in hospice.
Travis was born in Casper WY and grew up on a farm and a ranch in Natrona County. It surprised many who knew him as an adult to learn he had won prizes in 4-H. He herded not just cattle, but bison, and did trick riding for tourists passing his grandfather’s arena along the highway. His team was a shoo-in to win the calf roping event for media at the rodeo!
He began his television career in Casper at KGWN and quickly crossed town to KTWO, where he got his start in photojournalism. The move to WINK in Fort Myers brought him to Florida and added producer to his duties, and Travis’ career was off and running. He was a special projects producer at WKMG (WCPX) Orlando; special projects producer, executive producer, and managing editor at WESH Orlando; assistant news director, then news director at WPBF in West Palm Beach; then the national investigative executive producer for Hearst Television’s Washington DC bureau.
He covered the Oklahoma City bombing, the ValuJet crash, the Gators’ National Championship, the President’s visit to Cuba and multiple hurricanes. Travis was most in his element chasing down big stories and coordinating coverage. Beating the competition thrilled him. He was recognized for his work with Peabody, Murrow, duPont-Columbia and Emmy awards.
As a nod to his work ethic, Hearst sent him to five Olympics, Torino through Sochi, which added to the passport stamps he and his wife collected. From walking the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, and eating the biggest lobster at Fish Friday in Gouyave, Grenada, to attending Sunday school with President Carter and watching 4th of July fireworks from the Capitol steps, the couple relished their adventures.
Travis’ love language was cooking. He thought nothing of attempting a recipe with 16 ingredients, and was content to spend a day minding a Boston butt or baby back ribs on the grill while he watched sports on TV.
He loved just about any sport, but football was number one by far. The NFL Red Zone was his favorite channel. He officiated Pop Warner and high school football in central Florida, and was honored to referee the high school 6-A state championship. He ran the clock at the University of Central Florida, and traveled to Dublin for the Knights’ first international game. He enjoyed skiing downhill, shooting hoops and playing golf, even scoring a hole-in-one!
And it wasn’t only sports. Anything could be a competition with Travis, whether it was snorkeling for the most scallops, finding the best angle for a photograph or winning any type of parlor game.
He shared his love of games, and it spread around the world. Travis grew up playing cards and never stopped. Anyone who came over to the house would soon find cards or a board game set up and waiting for play. He should have been on commission for Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride!
It is almost unbearable to think about this lovely, talented, vibrant man in the past tense.
Travis will be greatly missed by Catriona, his wife of 30 years (7 1/2 leap years); his parents, Jerry and Sandy; brothers John (Denise), Tim (Bonnie) and Tom (Alecia); sister Wendy Carsten (Jason); parents-in-law Alan and Elizabeth Walberg; sister-in-law Belinda Walberg (Simon); and 13 wonderful nephews and nieces.
We are remembering Travis with contributions to Pop Warner Little Scholars and Investigative Reporters & Editors.
Funeral services will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Casper WY. Please sign the guest book at Edgley Cremation Services - Travis Sherwin Obituary.
With our miniature schnauzer Macro (name for a photography term, of course)
Walking the Great Wall after the Beijing Olympics
Trying curling after the Vancouver Olympics
Celebrating at the title office after buying our house
Annie Pearl Pollard passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2022. The service arrangements are as follows:
Oct. 14, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. (visitation); 3:00 p.m. (service)
Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church
1202 S. Central Ave.
Apopka, FL 32703
Prince Pollard, our thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Prince and Pearl Pollard lost a great grandson Shyde Orr age 11 after a brief illness.
Visitation will be 2pm Saturday, June 4, 2022 with the service following at 3pm.
Pleasant View Baptist Church
1202 S Central Ave
Apopka, Fl 32703
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for financial donations to help with this unexpected funeral expense. Contact the CFOA president for mailing address.
Celebration of Life for Guy Edward Kershner, Jr.
Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
Robert Lundquist Gymnasium, Oviedo High School, 601 King St., Oviedo, FL 32765
We all have shared a lot of time with Ed over the years. I know we are all busy but If you are able to attend please do so.
Thanks,
Allen
It is with great sadness to report the passing of Morris G. Middleton (October 27, 1935 — November 30, 2021). He will be missed... a gentleman’s gentleman.
A Note from Horace...
3/17/2021
Hello CFOA Family,
Horace was very aprecative of all the phone calls, text messages. and especially the prayers.
Celebrating the Life of Justin Armand Cannady...
the veiwing is Sunday March 21, 2021 from 4 - 6 pm at Postell's Mortuary located at 811 North Powers Drive, Orlando, FL, 32808.
*Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 11am. Calvary Orlando 1199 Clay Street, Winter Park, FL, 32789.
*Mask and temperature checks are required.
- Carlos Childress
Rita Anne Vanatta (Greg Vanatta's mother)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg Vanatta and family at the loss of his mother. Funeral information is as follows:
For: Rita Anne Vanatta
Date: Wednesday 1/6/2021
Viewing Time: 9:00AM – 10:00AM
Dobbs Funeral Home
420 North Kirkman Road
Orlando, FL 32811
Funeral Mass: Resurrection Catholic Church
1211 Winter Garden Vineland Rd.
Winter Garden, Florida 34787
Date: Wednesday 1/6/2021
Time: 11:00AM – 12:00PM
Burial will follow promptly at Woodlawn Cemetery
We were notified about Clarence Wilkerson's passing July 27, 2020. Our prayers go out to the family.
Public Viewing: 5 pm. - 7 pm
Date: Friday, August 7, 2020
Location: Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel
400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd
Gotha, Fl. 34734
Celebration of Life Service
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2020
Location: Woodlawn Cemetery
400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd
Gotha, Fl. 34734
Time: 10:00 am (30-minute service)
*Face masks are required at the public viewing and the funeral. Service will be at the cemetery “outside” in the Arbor Estates area, please follow the directions on the cemetery campus.
Eric Creamer's Mother
Eric Creamer’s mother passed, please keep him and family in your thoughts and prayers.
A Celebration Service will be held October 25, 2019 from 11am - 12pm at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734.
- Jemal / Allen
Marylene Farmer (Melvin Jones' Mother)
Please keep Melvin Jones and family in your thoughts and prayers as his mother passed.
Information for services:
Services for my mother Marylene Farmer will be Thursday Oct 24, 2019 at Center Hill Baptist Church
1555 Cedar Ave.
Macon, Georgia
31204
At 1pm
- Allen / Jemal
Julius Tharpe Memorial
Hello CFOA family,
Julius Tharpe Memorial will be held at St Cloud HS gym on October 19, 2019 @ 1:00pm. Let's all come out and show our Love for one of our fellow officials. 2000 Bullldog lane St Cloud, Fl 34769
Thank you, CFOA VB & BB
George Tucker
Please join us in remembrance of Tuck on Saturday August 17th, 2019 at 1 pm, Life Pointe Baptist Church, 3551 East Orange Ave Eustis, FL 32736for our final goodbye to this courageous man who fought his long battle with Heart Disease when a lot of people had no idea, he even had it.
Born 1954 Orlando, Florida, George Tucker better known as "Tuck", was Lake County resident for twenty years. He was in the army for 4 years serving as a Military Police Officer.
If any who knew George Tucker he was a family man and cared about others in the official's family. One lasting impression you can always remember about Tuck is he never complained about nothing an always had a positive outlook on life.
He married his Wife Kathy in 2004 with her three kids. They have been happy married for fifteen years before the passing of George. Jordan his oldest daughter who is now twenty-seven works at Walgreens and is a store manager, and lives in Deltona. Jury, his middle twenty-four-year-old works as a Lineman for Duke Energy and resides in North Carolina. His youngest daughter Josie a senior in high school enrolled in military Academy three weeks ago and has hope of joining the Navy after graduating.
Tuck enjoyed being outdoors and was very passionate about life. He owned his Landscape business called Total Landscape Solutions for 30 plus years. George battled heart disease for twenty plus years before he couldn't fight the battle anymore on Saturday August 3rd.
George Tucker Achievements
- Florida Officials Association- 7 years
- Baseball- Central Florida Umpires- 9 years
- Pop Warner- 7 years
- Being a father of his 3 kids-15 years
- Being a grandfather of 3 kids
One thing I will always remember about having a conversation with tuck is that he told me, "If your spouse tells your kids it's okay to do something and the other parent says it's not. You can't contradict each other. You both have to be in agreement." Famous words of Tuck.
I will always remember that George Tucker!
Your friend,
Jordan Durham
Luis Colon
Luis Colon's Funeral Service
Dobbs Funeral Home
430 North Kirkman Road
Orlando, FL 32811
Services to be held on
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Wake: 10 AM viewing
Funeral there afterwards
Grace Williams Russell
The funeral for Al's sister Grace Williams Russell, will be on Saturday, 3/9/2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Greater Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. The address is 1129 Parkwood Road, Groveland, FL 34736. Family viewing will be at Zanders Funeral Home on Thursday 3/7/2019, Public viewing will be at Greater Harmony MBC on Friday, 3/8/2019, from 5:00- 7:00p.m.
Timothy Owens
11-17-2018 - A Go Fund Me account has been set up on behalf of the Timothy Owens family. As you might imagine the family is devastated over the loss of this amazing young man. We would like to honor his memory by helping to give him a proper burial service. If you would like to contribute, use the following link:
Timothy Owens Funeral Expenses Go Fund Me Page
Home Going Service for Cherry Collier
A home going service will be held for Cherry Collier, mother of hall-of-famer Ed Collier on:
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Miracle Tabernacle Ministries, 4777 Silver Star Road, Orlando, Florida 32808
Charles Pollard
Our thoughts and prayers are with Prince Pollard and family as his brother Charles passed away. The viewing is: Thursday, July 19 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at the Zander Funeral Home in Apopka.
Funeral to follow Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00am at First John Holiness Church in Apopka.
Lee McElroy
Wake/Visitation for Lee McElroy will be held Monday, July 23, 2018 from 4PM – 6PM at the Mitchell Funeral Home located at 501 Fairvilla Rd. Orlando, Fl. 32805
The funeral service for Lee will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at 11:00am, at The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, 1000 Bethune Dr., Orlando 32805.
John Moran
Robert and Judy Rogers' son-in-law, John Moran, went to be with the Lord after a long battle of ALS. He is survived by his wife Trena Moran (former CFOA Basketball Referee), daughter Torie and son Jacob. Memorial will be held at First Orlando in the Henry Chapel on May 5 at 2pm.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Moran families.
Posted: 4-17-18
John Cuprill (son of Juan Cuprill)
The CFOA family is saddened to learn of the passing of John Cuprill, son of Juan Cuprill, a member of CFOA, after being involved in an auto accident.
Viewing services for John Cuprill will be held on Thursday, April 19th and Friday, April 20th from 5pm to 8pm at Newcomer, 335 East State Road 434, Longwood, FL 32750. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 21st at 11:00 am at Nativity Catholic Church, 3255 N. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood, Fl 32750. The funeral will be followed by the burial at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood Street, Orlando, FL 32801.
Please keep Juan's family in your prayers.
Herb Huddleston
Our thoughts and prayers to the family of our brother official, Herb Huddleston.
- CFOA
Herb Huddleston Obituary:
Herb Huddleston, 66, died peacefully at home in Orlando on Easter Sunday April 1st at the end of his journey with cancer. Herb is survived by two children son Jason Huddleston his wife Shannon Huddleston and granddaughter Aubrey of Port. St. John FL.; daughter Alex Johnston and her husband Jacob Johnston of Lynchburg Va.; his brother John Huddleston of Melbourne FL; along with many dear friends.
Born Dec. 6, 1951 Herb grew up just outside Buffalo NY in North Tonawanda. He graduated from North Tonawanda High School in 1969. Herb was a lifelong fan of music the outdoors and cooking. He discovered his love of music at an early age and when he was old enough he attended rock 'n' roll shows at Melody Fair Theater of North Tonawanda where he volunteered to help the lighting expert work spotlights for concerts. Herb moved to Central Florida from California in the 1970s where he began making his mark as a swim coach. Herb was the aquatics coach for OMAC which later became GOAC then the Justus Dolfins. He was also the aquatics director at the Orlando Recreation Department. Several of his swimmers were zone champions in the 1980s a heyday for amateur swimming in the state.
After a successful coaching tenure Herb spent the next era of his career at the Orlando Sentinel as a process analyst in the circulation department. His forte was SQL databases. Managers and co-workers were amazed by his ability to work with numbers both on a spreadsheet and in his head. He earned a number of SQL Power BI Microsoft and SharePoint certifications and licenses as his career grew and technologies changed and progressed. His work helped shape many facets of automation at the paper. During his time at The Orlando Sentinel Herb gave back to area youth sports as a basketball referee for AAU middle school and high school games.
Outside of work Herb spent every spare moment at the Plaza Live or House of Blues for a live show, fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon or watching the Buffalo Bills on the big screen. In fact, after his cancer diagnosis he and his daughter, son-in-law and best friend traveled to Buffalo to see the Bills beat the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. In January Herb went to Jacksonville to see Buffalo play in its first playoff game in 17 years. In Florida Herb found it easy to feed his hunger for the outdoors. He took his family and close friends on many fishing and kayak adventures patiently coaching them as they cast their lines and untangling them when things went awry. He successfully fished the salt waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
For Herb every day was a new adventure. He was most proud of his children his accomplished career and usually being "the oldest guy at a rock show". His fervor for life will be missed and admired by all who knew him. There will be a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, P.O. Box 11010, Tallahassee FL 32302.
From legacy.com
Sympathies
CFOA members thoughts and prayers are with VanAllen Berry a long time CFOA official as his mother recently passed away. Our thoughts / prayers are with you and your family. Posted: 3-29-18
Sympathies
Diondre Campbell's father passed away this morning, January 6, 2018. The CFOA family offers its sympathy and prayers for the family during their loss.
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