Reuel Thomas Platt Jr.

Reuel was born on May 29, 1928 in Dade City, Florida, a proud sixth generation Floridian. He grew up on an orange grove and graduated from Dade City’s Pasco County High School in 1946. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physics, studying for one year at the University of Florida and finishing at Emory University in Atlanta. Reuel remained a strong Gator fan throughout his life.

Reuel married the love of his life, Betty White in 1949 and enjoyed 71 loving years together. They raised three children in Melbourne, Florida before moving to Severna Park, Maryland in 1971.

Reuel participated actively in civic organizations throughout his life. He was active in Jaycees early in his adult life, and was awarded the Outstanding Services Award in 1963. He was president of the Melbourne Rotary Club from 1969 until 1970. He continued his participation with Rotary through his life and in retirement. He was probably most proud, however, of having headed up the fundraising drive to raise funds to build the Brevard Hospital (now Holmes Regional Hospital).

Reuel worked with RCA Missile Test Project from 1955 until 1966, working in telemetry on the Air Force Eastern Test Range. He later moved to Radiation, Inc. (now L3Harris), where he worked until 1971. With the downturn in the space age after completion of the Apollo missions, he moved to the Baltimore, Maryland area. His second, significant career was with the National Security Agency (NSA) from 1975 until his retirement in 1993. He was proud of his work there in service to our country.

After retiring from NSA, Reuel and Betty enjoyed their first retirement home in St. Simons Island, Georgia where they relished coastal life for many years. Their final move was to Fleet Landing retirement community in Atlantic Beach, Florida where they enjoyed the final years of their life together.

Reuel was a devoted husband and father, and of his many accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. Reuel is preceded in death by his loving parents, Reuel Sr. and Marie Futch Platt and his beloved sister, Laura Platt Towne (Dudley). He is survived by his loving family: wife, Betty, sons Reuel Platt III (Catherine), John McDowell Platt (Melanie), and daughter Jayne Merkel (George), sister, Cedora “Dodie” Platt Andrews (Bill), grandchildren Thomas McDowell Platt (Kallie), James McGee Platt (Kara), Shawn Martin Bryant (Natalie), Anna Louise Bryant and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at an undetermined date in the future with immediate family members.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME

Jacksonville Beach FL