Robert Allison "Al" Platt
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Robert Allison "Al" Platt, 93, most recently of Acworth, GA, passed away at home in his sleep on Saturday, December 12, 2020, surrounded by his three sons.
Al was born on May 18, 1927 in Lakeland, FL to Thomas Fenton Platt, Sr. and Mamie Drew (Allison) Platt. Following his father's death that same year, his mother moved he and his older brother to Daytona Beach. He graduated from Daytona Mainland High School in 1945 and accepted a football scholarship to the University of Florida. After a single semester he was called into active duty in the Army Air Corps as an enlisted man, serving two years. He reentered UF, was member of PI Kappa Alpha social fraternity and graduated with a BS degree in 1950. While at UF he met his future wife, Betty. They were married in 1950. Their wonderful life together spanned over 50 years.
His work career covered 37 years, all with the General Electric company. Shortly after beginning as a salesman in Tampa he was re-called into the Army for the Korean War and served two years as an Infantry 1st Lt. stationed in Japan. Following his military discharge, he returned to his sales job with GE, and was transferred to Jacksonville, FL. From there his career included promotions into multiple management positions that took he and his family to New York City, Cleveland, OH, Atlanta, GA, finally returning to Tampa as Florida Manager for the GE Consumer Lighting Business where he retired in 1987. Beyond his love for family and friends, his passions included traveling, being a member of the Gideons International association, fishing, golf and any collegiate sport, especially the Gators.
He is survived by his three sons and their families; Son Bob Platt of Kennesaw, GA and granddaughters Allison and Emily of Marietta, GA; Son Tom Platt with wife Michele of Acworth, GA and grandson Thomas of Cashiers, NC; Son John Platt with wife Nancy of Knoxville, TN and grandsons Joe and Drew of Chattanooga, TN. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Bill Upson of San Francisco, and by his long time and very close and dear friend of 20 years, Donna Carter of Tampa, FL.
Al was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jean Upson Platt, parents T. F. Platt, Sr. and Mamie Drew Allison Platt, older sister Nina Drew, and older brother Thomas Fenton Platt, Jr. a US Marine killed in the battle of Tarawa in the Pacific in WWII.
Interment will be in the spring of 2021 at Warren Smith Cemetery, Jacksonville Beach, Florida where Al will be laid to rest at the side of his wife Betty; date and time to be determined. It was Al's request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, P.O Box 32728, Deltona, FL 32728, or to The Gideons International's Faith Fund at P.O. Box 7812 Tampa, FL 33673.