FORT MEADE - Mr. Jackie Curtis Eldridge, 76, passed away Friday, January 29, 2021 in Auburndale, FL. Mr. Eldridge was born December 16, 1944 in Chickamauga, GA and has been a resident of Fort Meade for many years. He was a retired plant supervisor for ProPlus Golf Services, Inc. in Bowling Green, FL, and also was a former citrus hauler for John Stephens, Inc. and DeVane Harvesting, Inc. both of Fort Meade. Mr. Eldridge was a U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1963-1970, and though he loved to hunt and fish, billiards remained a longtime interest, and loved to play pool every chance he could.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary Jo Eldridge; parents, Ike and Sarah (Godbehere) Eldridge; brothers, Glenn Eldridge, Gary Eldridge, Ike Eldridge, Jr., Larry Eldridge, and his sister, Mary Willis.
Mr. Eldridge is survived by his three sons, Jeffrey Eldridge and wife Robin, Lakeland, FL, Jamie Eldridge and wife Deniene, Auburndale, FL, and Jason Eldridge and wife Kristin, Fort Meade, FL; brothers, Ernie Eldridge and James "Pee-Wee" Eldridge, both of Mayo, FL; sisters, Wanda Gerlach, Joyce Huerta, and Doris Redmann, all of Avon Park, FL; eight grandchildren, Julie, Ben, Josh, James, Matt, Kaleigh, Alyssa, and Jackson.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday, February 1, 2021 at Hancock Funeral Home, 945 East Broadway, Fort Meade, FL. Under CDC guidelines, for the protection of the family and each other in our community, masks must be worn for entrance into the funeral home chapel, and a proper distancing and number of attendees to the visitation in the funeral home chapel at one time. These guidelines will be strictly enforced.
A private family committal service will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Meade.
Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171