Linton Leroy Selph, Jr

Linton Leroy Selph, Jr., passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. He was born in Orlando, Florida on December 3, 1933, to Linton Leroy Selph, Sr., and Mary Pope Selph.

He moved to Lakeland at the age of 4 and attended John Cox Elementary School, Lakeland High School, and Florida Southern College.

Leroy served in the United States Air force from 1953-1957. After serving in the military, he worked for the General Telephone Company for 37 years.

During Leroy’s retirement he volunteered at Scott Lake Elementary, Valleyview Elementary and was employed part-time by Mrs. D's Flower Shop during part of his post-retirement years.

Leroy loved spending time with his family, he enjoyed fishing, sports and gospel singing. While attending Lakeland High School he played on the baseball and basketball teams. He also played baseball at Florida Southern College and in the American Legion League. During his early days at General Telephone, he played on the company’s fast pitch softball and volleyball teams. His love of gospel singing included performing on the radio with the Rebels Quartet and a local quartet he formed with his cousin, Charles Selph, and two other friends that they called “The Happy Four”

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Donald Selph and son, Gary Selph.

Leroy is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Louise Robinson Selph, 2 children, Steven (Cindy) Selph, Charleen (David) Selph Smith; 5 grandchildren, Abigail Selph Collins (Jonathan), Audrey Selph (Joe), Benjamin Selph (Jessica), Sarah Gucwa (Jason), Emily Waites (Michael); 7 great grandchildren, Samuel and Susannah Collins, Niamh Higgins, Lukas Selph, Braddock Waites, Abram Waites, Jackson Gucwa and many other loving family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10 am with services to follow at 11 am in the Chapel at First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33801. Inurnment at Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 US Highway 98 South, Lakeland, Florida 33812.

Donations can be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087, or a charity of your choice in Leroy’s honor.