From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
F. Paul Mita, Jr., 93, Vero Beach
November 30, 1933 ~ January 11, 2026
Francis “Paul” Mita, Jr. passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, January 11th at his home in Vero Beach, FL.
Paul was born at Abington Memorial Hospital to Marie Murphy Mita and Francis Paul Mita, Sr. on November 30, 1933. He spent an adventurous childhood in Bala Cynwyd, PA and Ocean City, NJ with his brother Jack and best friend Jim Flanigan. Paul attended Malvern Prep where he occasionally studied and mostly played a variety of sports. He then attended LaSalle College where he was on the track and field team and part of a relay team that still holds a World record for the 4 x 120m high hurdles.
He was a lifeguard in Ocean City where he became known for his love of unusual dance moves and cartwheels down the stairs. These acrobatics caught the attention of Elizabeth (Lil) Hartley who became his wife for nearly 70 years.
Paul attended Drexel University for his MBA which led to a job at GE where he was the business manager for a program that was the start of the United States Satellite Program and eventually NASA. After that, he followed his entrepreneurial dreams and purchased The Leathercraft Company in Conshohocken, PA. He was very successful and able to retire early to spend his later years with his large family and many friends.
He had many diverse interests later in life including skiing, kayaking, biking, boat restoration, and trying his hand as a stand-up comedian and harmonica player on the Ocean City boardwalk for anyone who would listen.
Paul is survived by his wife Lil, children, Frank (Lisa), Roy (Esther), Liz (Donnie), and Pauline (Brady) along with his grandchildren, Colleen, Paul (Chelsea), Charlie, RJ, Georgie, Ilena, and Billy, and his great-granddaughter, Kenny. He is predeceased by his daughter, Michelle (Dave) and brother, Jack.
The service will be held at St. John Vianney Church in Gladwyne, PA on Friday, January 16th. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:45 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. The service will be available on live stream via the St. John Vianney website.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:
One Cause (GbS/CIPD research)
https://p2p.onecause.com/gbs-cidp-donate/donate
375 Elm St, Suite 101
Conshohocken, PA 19428
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Edward Frank Klima, 91, Vero Beach
July 30, 1934 ~ January 17, 2026
Klima, Edward Frank, 91, of Vero Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully at home on January 17, 2026. Born July 30, 1934, in Catskill, N.Y., he lived a full and adventurous life devoted to science, family, sports and the outdoors.
Ed graduated from the University of Miami with a BS and MS in Biology.
While at Miami, he played basketball for the Hurricanes (go Canes) as a forward. He later received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah.
He began his career in the early 60s in Panama City, Panama, with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission as a fishery biologist. In 1962, he joined the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries as a shrimp biologist, working in Panama City, Fla., and Pascagoula, Miss. From 1973 through 1976, Ed held numerous positions as a senior administrative Marine Biologist. He later spent four years in Washington, D.C., (Fisheries and USAID) where he helped spearhead legislation establishing the 200-mile limit, later known as the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. In 1977, he returned to serve as Director of the
Galveston Laboratory (NOAA), a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
Throughout his career, Ed was widely respected for his scientific research, particularly his work on shrimp fisheries and the preservation of endangered sea turtles, specifically head-starting the Kemps-Ridley species. Ed published more than sixty scientific journals. In collaboration with fellow scientists and the U.S. Shrimp Association, he helped develop Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), significantly reducing sea turtle mortality while supporting sustainable fishing practices.
Ed traveled extensively for work and pleasure and loved cooking and enjoying adventurous cuisine. He was an avid basketball player, hunter and fisherman. He embraced challenges and problem-solving throughout his life, including in retirement, where he enjoyed investing in the stock market and trading options.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Rox-Klima; his daughter, Dawn Zieren, and her husband, Ken Zieren; his son, Lance Klima; grandchildren Brett Zieren (Debbie), Blake Zieren (Natalie), Bryan Zieren (Bailey), Jack Klima, and Lily Klima; great-granddaughter Harper Zieren; stepdaughter Darcy Price (Rick) and their children (Sonny, Kaylee, Jamie); Shannon Vidaurreta (Henry) and their children (Monica, Carlos); Sarah Williams (Casey) and their children (Carter, Jackson); and Andrew Lujan (Heather) and their son (Theodore).
Ed will be remembered for his intellect, curiosity, dedication to science, and lasting contributions to marine conservation and fisheries management. He embraced life fully, always seeking new experiences and adventure.
He will be dearly missed. We rest assured that Ed is in the arms of his loving Savior and Lord.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation or a charity of your choice.
A private celebration of life to follow.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Lowell “Buddy” E. Odom, 70, Franklin, North Carolina
June 12, 1955 ~ January 17, 2026
Lowell “Buddy” E. Odom, age 70, passed away on January 17, 2026, at his home in Franklin, North Carolina. He was born on June 12, 1955 in Vero Beach, FL.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 10:00-11:00 a.m., with a Funeral Service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. at 20th Avenue Church of God, 775 20th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32962.
Additional obituary details forthcoming…
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Thomas Patrick Spencer IV, 53
October 20, 1973 ~ January 17, 2026
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Thomas Patrick Spencer IV, who died in Vero Beach, Florida on January 17, 2026.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday January 31st, 2026 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Nancy Jean Faison Smith, 88, Vero Beach
September 13, 1937 ~ January 20, 2026
Nancy Jean Faison Smith reached the end of her amazing journey on this earth early Tuesday morning. At a vibrant 88 years young, she passed peacefully while surrounded by her family. Our adored mother was born in Richmond, Virginia and moved to Florida at a young age. Her love of learning took Nancy from Miami Edison High School, to Miami-Dade Junior College, before moving on to the University of Florida where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Her life-long quest for knowledge continued with her becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife, as well as a Nurse Practitioner. Nan started a long career at Indian River Memorial Hospital, where Vero Beach became not just her home but one for the entire family.
Nancy was a magical woman of many talents and interests with an insatiable curiosity and zeal for life. No matter what, her many paths all had a singular focus, service to others. She wasn’t just a mother to her children, she was a source of compassion and love for everyone who knew her. She enjoyed many hobbies including cooking, especially making jam, volunteering, traveling, folk school, tai chi, and finding Hidden Treasures. She was a long time member of Temple Beth Shalom Vero.
Nancy is survived by her children Gregg (Dana), Stacy, Eric (Christy), and Justin (Renee). Bubbe’s seven grandsons are Christopher, Brandon, Devon, Brennan, Aiden, Carson, and Beckett. She also has three great-granddaughters Aliza, Bradleigh, and Della, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Gigi and Ed Faison, her two younger brothers, Lanny and Steven, along with her former husband, our father, Harry.
A celebration of her life will be held on February 8, 2026 at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home in Vero Beach, Fl. at 10AM.
Our mother did not want sadness and flowers to be the focus at this time, so in lieu of that, please consider a donation to a charity. It would be lovely if you did it in her name. The World Central Kitchen is an organization she felt passionate about. If you are so inclined, volunteer for a few minutes somewhere, somehow. You can simply give a smile to a stranger or share a kind word. Let joyous memories of Nancy remind us to care about each other.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
