Sebring Loses Three Pioneers In 5 Days

SEBRING - Three of Sebring's prominent residents have died within less than one week.

Former Police Chief Lonnie Curl, 87, died Tuesday at his Sebring home.

Former Police Chief Bob Baker attended Curl's funeral Friday and then died of a heart attack later that night.

Former Postmaster Ray Graddy, 92, died Saturday.

"To me Ray Graddy represents what the old pioneers of Sebring are all about," said Craig Johnson, a friend of Graddy. "He cared about his community, and he gave back."

Johnson said Graddy was a nice man who always treated people well.

"As a young man, he was very active in the community," Johnson said. "He always had a smile on his face."

Graddy graduated from Sebring High School in 1933 and worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 37 years, including 12 years as postmaster. He then worked as a real estate broker for eight years before retiring.

He was a life member of First Christian Church, Sebring Firemen Association, Sebring's Lion Club, American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He also was a charter member of Sebring Historical Society and Highlands County Fair Association.

Mayor George Hensley said Graddy was well respected in the community, as was Curl.

"I think the two were good friends, both being active in the Sebring Firemen's organization," Hensley said. "They both contributed significantly to this city like so many of the pioneers."

It was actually Curl, who was police chief at the time, who hired Baker as a police officer in 1972. Baker worked his way through the ranks and served as police chief from 1985-1991.

He then retired from the department and was hired as a code enforcement officer for the city in 2001 and again worked for the police department when the code enforcement division moved to its jurisdiction. He retired in February 2007.

Chief Tom Dettman described Baker as "the gentle giant."

"He always trusted people, and he was a big believer in giving people a second chance," Dettman said. "He was a really nice guy, and he will be missed greatly."

Services for Baker will be at 3 p.m. today, with visitation one hour prior, at Southside Baptist Church.

Services for Graddy will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church. The family will accept friends from 5-8 p.m. today at Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home in Sebring.