Robert Lawrence Mohler, 85, died Oct, 26, 2015.
Mr. Mohler was born on Feb. 26, 1930, in Rushville, Indiana. He and his family moved to Plant City when he was 3 years old. He was an All-Conference athlete in football, baseball, and basketball at Plant City High School, graduating in 1948. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Florida. He graduated in the class of 1952. He went on to join the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1956. He continued serving his country through the National Guard, where he was promoted to battalion commander and retired as a full colonel.
He married his darling heart, Ann, in 1955, at Springhead Baptist Church. Together they raised a family that loves and admires them both. He was a wonderful and successful provider. The loving couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 16, 2015.
He was an active member of every church the family attended. Whether it was singing in the choir, managing the sound system, teaching Sunday school or donating time, he was always willing to help. Most recently he served as a member of Plant City’s First Baptist Church.
His professional career was in agriculture, beginning in the 1950s. He built a large sales territory covering Central Florida and eventually became the president of Ridge Fertilizer Company, a position he held for 23 years. He later was a field representative for Diamond R Fertilizer until his retirement at age 80.
His early family life was dedicated to his two sons and their sports ambitions. He served nine years as a coach in Plant City’s Little League baseball program. He was also a founder of Plant City’s first youth football program and donated his time as the head coach of the Plant City Colts. Later, when his granddaughters came along, the family enjoyed boating, swimming, and taking motor home vacations. They called him Pampa. He loved his family and always supported and encouraged them. He was a hard-working, patriotic, Christian, family man whose favorite saying was, “God is a reality.”
He is survived by loving wife, Ann Howell Mohler; sons, Larry David Mohler (Cindy) and Kenneth Michael Mohler (Hope); six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in life by his parents, Russell Lester Mohler and Dorothy May Mohler; and his brother, Richard Albert Mohler Sr.
Visitation begins at 3 p.m., with the service following at 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church, 503 N. Palmer St.