Lakeland Ledger July 28,2006 Fort Meade For many years Mr Robert Lovett Clanton was just a phone call away when resident of Polk County needed their vehicles towed and repaired "Everybody knew him. We went several times to Wauchula, Zolfo Springs- he was known all over this part of Florida" his wife of 59 years Rena Belle Clanton said "He has six wreckers, he built four of them, He took the trucks and built the wreckers on the back' The retired owner of Clanton's Wrecker Service in Fort Meade died of heart failure Thursday July 27,2006 at home He was 84. Born in Sparks, Georgia on Jan 25, 1922 he enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 16. Mr Clanton was 17 years old when World War II erupted and he served as a member of the 101st Airborne Division of the Army "He was with one of the first troops that went overseas when World War II broke out.He Went overseas on the Queen Mary." Rena Clanton said While in New Guinea, a mortar blast that struck in front of him cost Mr Clanton his eyesight. He came to Fort Meade from Zolfo Springs in 1961 and started the wrecker service he and his wife operated together for 35 years. Mr Canton learned to play the guitar at an early age and during the 1970s he was a member of the band Palmetto Bluegrass. The band performed throughout the state of Florida as well as in Alabama and Georgia. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Blinded Veterans Association and the American Legion in Wauchula. He was a member of First Church of God in Fort Meade. IOn addidion to his wife Rena Belle Clanton Mr Clanton is survived by his sons, Chuck Daniels, California,Raymond Clanton, Lacey Clanton, David CClanton all of Fort Meade daughter Frances Poole, Cadwell Georgia; nine grandchildren; 20 reeat grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 this evening at Moody-Brant Funeral Chapel, Fort Meade. Services will be at 2 pm Saturday at the funeral home chapel.