From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Robert Daughton (R.D.) Auton, 81
June 06, 1940 – July 29, 2021
R.D., 81, passed July 29, 2021 in Vero Beach, FL. Born in Watauga County, N.C., to the late William Henry Auton and Gladys Beatrice Auton.
He graduated from Blowing Rock High School and moved to Vero Beach in the mid 1960’s.
Owner of R.D.’s Union 76 from 1969 until 1978, when hired by the Indian River County Sheriff‘s Office, retiring in 2005.
He enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing and was an avid follower of NASCAR.
In the early 1990s, R.D. presented over 10,000 signatures to Indian River County Commissioners regarding the widening of State Road 60. With those signatures, along with lobbying the Florida Department of Transportation the widening of State Road 60 west of I95 became a reality.
From the inception of the Sheriff’s Office Annual BBQ, he worked to make it a great success, raising money for the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches.
He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Judy Auton, son Billy Auton (Michelle), grandchildren Regan Fuller, Michael Fuller and Coy Auton. Daughter, Lisa Auton, grandchildren Adam Roll and Michelle Meeks.
Along with brother Frank Auton of Melbourne, FL, sister Evelyn Oleta Nelson of Lenoir and sister-in-law Rosa Mae Auton of Boone, N.C. Including many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his siblings; Four brothers; Ivan, Harley, Marvin, and Lewis. Three sisters, Virginia Auton, Margaret Bennett, Margie Wilcox.
After retirement, R.D. and Judy spent many years seasonally dividing their time between Vero Beach and their home in Boone, N.C.
The family will be holding a private service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches is in his name.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Paul Edward Bloom, 54, Vero Beach
October 31, 1966 – July 30, 2021
Paul Edward Bloom, a business owner in the Vero Beach area, and long-time resident, lost his battle with cancer on July 30, 2021, at the age of 54.
Born in Pittsburg, PA, on October 31, 1965, Paul was a true son of Pittsburg, bleeding black and yellow through and through. As a child he moved to Florida where he would set his roots for the remainder of his life. While living in Fort Lauderdale he mastered his craft of upholstery as well as creating the foundation for his business. During this time, Paul met the love of his life, Lori. The two later relocated to Vero Beach, raising their three sons.
Paul was an avid traveler, motorcycle rider, gun, and antique collector. He enjoyed spending time with his sons, teaching them to ride dirt bikes and volunteering at Cub Scouts, as well as attending their many sporting events.
An amazing father, Paul instilled a hard work ethic in his sons and gave them the world. Paul was a true romantic at heart, often bringing flowers and other surprises to Lori. He was a generous friend, always available when needed.
Unfortunately, on July 8, 2020, Paul and Lori lost their beloved son, Dillon. A difficult time, and with Paul’s health declining, they stuck by each other through the loss of their youngest son.
Paul is survived by his wife, Lori; his sons, Jim (Meghan) and Dean & his fiancé, Ashley; his granddaughter, Gabriella; his mother, Rita; and his sister, Laura.
The family will greet friends from 1 – 2 p.m., Saturday, August 7, 2021 with A Celebration of Life service to follow at 2 p.m., at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory.
Paul is remembered as an amazing husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend who will be greatly missed by all that knew him!
Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Robert “Bob” King, 91, Vero Beach
September 11, 1929 – July 26, 2021
Described by many as the most determined man one can know, Robert “Bob” King, after several months of declining health, passed away peacefully with his beloved wife Rose Ann, their two loving daughters Kathy and Julie, and their grandson Phillip by his side at the VNA Hospice House on July 26th, 2021 at the age of 91.
Bob is preceded in death by his father Anderson Jennings King, his mother Evva Gertrude King, his two brothers Alfred King and William King, and his sister Patricia King Edwards.
Bob was born in Vero Beach, Florida on September 11, 1929 to Anderson and Gertrude King. His dedication to work hard and be the best that he could be began with his first job at the early age of ten delivering the Vero Beach Press Journal newspapers by bicycle in Indian River County. He became interested in Scouting while in grammar school. He was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Sea Scout and also a member of an Air Scout troop.
After graduating from High School, Bob went on to join the United States Air Force. He was a pararescue specialist and medic and was instrumental in helping and saving many people all over the world. He served in the Korean War and was honored for his bravery and courage for his rescue missions.
Bob married Rose Ann who was also born in Vero Beach. They were married December 27th, 1957 at the First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach, Florida. They would build a family that Bob treasured above all else. They have been married for 63 years.
After retiring from a 22 year career from the Air Force with honors, they returned to Vero Beach to be near family. Bob would work for the city of Vero Beach Power Plant and was certified as an emergency medical technician. Bob was a car enthusiast, an outdoorsman and enjoyed American history and attending church with family and friends.
Bob was most proud of his marriage with Rose Ann, their two daughters and the family they built together. Their love and devotion to each other was an inspiration to everyone and will be fondly remembered. Their two daughters are Kathy Johnson and her husband Brian of Groton, Massachusetts and Julie Carter and her husband Douglas of Merritt Island, Florida whom he cherished along with his grandchildren Megan Johnson Sherman and her husband Erik of Newington, Connecticut, Lauren Johnson of Chicago, Illinois, and Phillip Carter of Merritt Island, Florida.
Until the end he remained an inspiration to us all. He taught us compassion, honesty, kindness and humor. He valued integrity, loyalty and friendship. We will miss him every day but will find comfort in knowing he is home with his heavenly father.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of ROBERT EDWARD KING, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Lloyd G. Smiley, 97, Vero Beach
August 22, 1923 – July 30, 2021
Lloyd G. Smiley of Vero Beach died peacefully at home on July 30, 2021. Lloyd was born August 22, 1923, in Indianapolis, Indiana, was a long-term resident of Poughkeepsie, New York, moved to Key Biscayne, Florida in 1969, to The Moorings in Vero Beach in 1981, and to Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club in 1999.
As a US Army Air Force B-24 Bomber Pilot and Aircraft Commander, he served in combat at the age of 21 in Europe, 1944-1945, with the 15th Air Force, 459th Bomb Group, 759th Squadron. After pilot training, he transitioned to B-24 aircraft in Fort Worth and had overseas training with a nine-man crew in Casper, Wyoming. They flew their B-24 from Topeka, Kansas to combat air base in Cerignola, Italy. He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and European-African-Middle Eastern Medal for his service.
Mr. Smiley graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a B.S. in 1951 and from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY with a B.A. in 1962. His first assignment after MIT was Lead Managing Expediter at American Bosch Arma Corporation of manufacturing and assembly of the computers and operating equipment for the hydrogen bomb plants in Dunbarton, South Carolina. He was a licensed Professional Engineer in New York, Illinois, Florida and seven other states; and a certified statewide General Contractor and Commercial Realtor in Florida. He served as a panelist for the American Arbitration Association, on the teaching staff at New York Management Institute (NYU), and the American Management Association. He was a member of a number of professional organizations including the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Management Association, and the National Association of Realtors.
Mr. Smiley was a pioneer in physical distribution as a major emerging function in industry, having written his thesis at MIT on the subject; as a specialist in the field, he became head of his consulting firm, Marketing Distribution Council. He flew his own high performance Beech Bonanza aircraft to serve customers nationwide, including 40 large manufacturers, predominantly in the food industry, transportation firms, and government agencies. He planned and implemented improved manufacturing and distribution systems, including site selections and facilities construction. He wrote and spoke extensively on how upgraded customer service programs could improve costs and provide better returns for customers, carriers, and manufacturers.
Surviving are three daughters, Catherine Smiley of Newton, NJ, Patricia A. Smiley of Claremont, CA, Joan E. Smiley of Worcester, MA; a sister, Barbara Ames of Sonoma, CA, and two grandsons, Andrew Burnett and John W. Wilson. He was predeceased by his brother Paul E. Smiley of Westfield, IN, his son, L. Kevin Smiley, and his dear wife of 72 years, Connie.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963, VNA/Hospice Foundation 1100 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, or the Veterans Council of Indian River County, 1800 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach beginning at 10 AM, Monday, August 9, 2021. Sebastian Area Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors at the church following the Mass.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of LLOYD G. SMILEY, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
