Glenn Wayne Westmark

Sergeant at Arms (ret.) Wayne “Sarge” Westmark, 83, died July 7, 2016, for a more glorious home in Heaven. Reunited with wife, Joyce, whom he's missed all the days they've been parted. He leaves behind a host of family and friends who will miss him greatly.

Born in Pensacola, FL on December 15, 1932 to Samuel E. and Alta Jones Westmark, he was the second of five boys. Growing up in Pensacola, he was so proud of his heritage, often regaling people with stories from a youth spent on the water, and around the farm. He went to Mississippi State for a year, then transferred to Florida State University, graduating with a B.S. in Biology in 1958. His published research is still referenced today.

It was during one of his trips home to Pensacola that he met Joyce Lambert, a nursing student at Sacred Heart Hospital. She was the love of his life. They were married 57 years before her death in 2013

With his new job they moved from Tallahassee, making first Dublin, then Valdosta, Georgia, their home. Later, they returned to Tallahassee where they lived for five years until they moved to the Shell Point area. An avid fisherman, he spent every day possible on the water.

After their children were grown, he and Joyce moved back to Tallahassee where they bought Shalibeau Farm. A horse boarding business in the early years, it expanded to include the usual farm animals and large gardens. Before retirement, they raised ostriches, emus, rheas and other exotic birds.

There was nothing that Wayne couldn't grow. He had a knowledge of plant life that came from many hours spent in communion with the earth and the Creator. In addition to his garden, he especially enjoyed fruit trees, butterfly bushes, and daylilies.

Besides family and friends, music and hunting brought him joy. Wayne was a self taught musician and loved to play the harmonica especially with other musicians. Whether around a fire at the hunt camp, or on the back porch, if there was music, he was happy.

In Wayne's professional life he was in sales with Pfizer Corp. and Bristol Labs for almost twenty years, winning many awards for his salesmanship. After this, he was appointed Sergeant at Arms for the Florida House of Representatives where he proudly served for twenty two years. The friendships he made at the Florida House were a continual source of joy and pride. He had many storied memories that are part of a visual montage still present in the Capitol today.

Upon his retirement, he and his beloved Nana traveled all over the US in their RV. They found a second home at Choestoe Falls RV Park in Blairsville, GA where they parked the RV permanently, spending weeks at a time with friends. Wayne was predeceased by his wife, Annie Joyce Lambert Westmark; his parents, Sam and Alta Westmark; his brother, Roger Clark; brother-in-law, Charles Lambert, and sister-in-law, Ellen L. Daniels.He leaves to mourn his passing daughters, Cindy Westmark, Lindy (Mike) Snelling, and son, Jay (Mary Katherine) Westmark. His grandchildren: Keith (Amanda) Lawhon, Dr. David Westmark, Katy Westmark, Emily Westmark and Jason Westmark; and one great grandchild, Carter Lawhon; his brothers: Dr. Edward R. (Claire) Westmark, Dr. David (Dori) Westmark, and Ronald (Faye) Westmark; his sister-in-law, Linda Lambert; his faithful friends, Carl and Marilyn Carpenter, and Charlie Hansberry, and a host of nephews and nieces that he loved so much.

There will be a celebration of life at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 16th at Immanuel Baptist Church where Wayne and Joyce were members. For those attending, and in honor of Wayne, the family suggests “Hawaiian casual” since Nana always kept him brightly attired in Hawaiian shirts. The family would like to express their thanks to Dr. Paul Hartsfield, Dr. Michelle Bachtel, TMH Home Health and Hopewell Home Care for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers (Except on your shirt!), the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Big Bend Hospice.