A graduate of Atlantic High School, he continued his education by earning a Bachelor's Degree from Wake Forest University and a Master's Degree from the University of Florida. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1954 to 1956. Started his teaching and coaching career in Apopka, Florida moving to Brandon, Florida in 1963 as a science teacher and coach. Throughout his 40 year education career, he served as a teacher, football and basketball coach, dean of boys, assistant principal of administration and principal at both the junior and high school level, retiring as the principal of his beloved Brandon Senior High School, home of the Eagles, in 1991. He was active in the Brandon community as a member of New Hope United Methodist Church, the Lion's Club and was a Rotarian.
"Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops."
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mervin and Mittie Nelson; sister, Pauline. Linwood is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marge; five children, Kathie (Jim), Mike (Lynn), Barbie (Joe), Marj (Pat), Carro (Bill); ten grandchildren, Kate, Michael, Andrew, Gregg, Mary Catherine, Meagan, Ashlyn, Noah, Alex, Josh; five great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018 at New Hope United Methodist Church, 120 North Knights Avenue, Brandon, Florida 33510, interment to follow in Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, Florida 33511. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Linwood's memory may be made to New Hope United Methodist Church, 120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon, Florida 33510, http://findnewhope.com/giving/; and LifePath Hospice c/o Chapters Health Foundation , 12470 Telecom Drive, , Suite 300 West, Temple Terrace, Florida 33637, https://lifepathhospice.chaptershealth.org/GeneralDonation.
