NOBLIT, Granville Edwin III "Bud" "G.E." Age 77, of Young Harris, Georgia passed away Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009 at Union General Hospital in Blairsville, GA following a sudden illness. Bud was born in Tarpon Springs, on Jan. 16, 1932. He was the grandson of Tarpon Springs pioneer, and Daddy of Pinellas, Granville Edwin Noblit, Sr., originally from Brockwayville, PA. The Noblit family has resided in the area for five generations. Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Granville Edwin Noblit, Jr. and Eula Mae Noblit, brother, William V. Noblit, and son, Granville Edwin Noblit, IV. He is survived by his wife of 56 yerars, Evelyn K. Noblit of Young Harris, GA; two daughters, Carol N. Mahler (Michael J. Mahler) of Auburndale, FL and Jill N. MacGregor (Duncan Travis Macgregor) of Tarpon Springs, FL; a daughter-in-law, Deborah K. Noblit of Oldsmar, FL; a sister, Mary Dawn Dewees of Mission Veijo, CA; 9 grandchildren; 3 nieces; 3 nephews; other relatives and many dear friends. He completed his early education in Tarpon and was a 1953 graduate of the University of Florida. As a proud Gator he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, a member of the White Friar's, a member of the university's track team & Sigma Delta Psi, Honorary Athletic Fraternity. Upon graduation from U of F, Bud was commissioned in the U.S. Navy. Receiving the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, he served as a communications and underwater demolition officer during the Korean War. He was assigned to the USS Exploit, one of the first non-magnetic mine sweepers. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Bud returned to Tarpon to partner in the family insurance business, Noblit Insurance Agency, Inc., founded by his father, Granville Edwin Noblit, Jr. in 1938. The agency served the area from their main office located on Tarpon Avenue and four satellite offices spanning the west coast from Clearwater to Spring Hill. In 1987 he retired from the agency. In his spare time Bud was active in many local civic organizations. He was President of the Independent Insurers and member of the Jaycees where he served as president for two terms and organized the first Christmas card display around Whitcomb Bayou. He was a member of the Elks and Lion's Clubs, and served as Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs. Though born and raised a Florida flatlander, Bud had a heart for the hills. In 2002 he and his wife, Evelyn, moved from the bayou city of Tarpon Springs to begin a new chapter of life together in Young Harris, GA. There, Bud spent his days carving out a mountainside haven. He enjoyed landscaping the woods that surrounded their home, relocating rock from the property to create gentle babbling creeks, cascading water falls and shallow ponds, all intertwined by gravel foot trails. Now, seven short years later, having come full circle, a memorial service in honor of Bud will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 at Dobies Funeral Home in Tarpon Springs, the former Noblit Insurance Agency building. A brief interment ceremony will follow the service at the Noblit family plot at Cycadia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Bud preferred that family and friends make a donation to the charity of their choice, in his name.

Published in St. Petersburg Times on August 23, 2009