| | John Carlton 
WINTER HAVEN -- With a love for music and a degree in business, Mr. John Carlton of Winter Haven turned his brother's music shop into the well-known instrument depot it is today.
Mr. Carlton died of renal and heart failure Friday (Dec. 2, 2005). He was 84.
Born Dec. 25, 1920, in Burbank, Calif., Mr. Carlton moved to Winter Haven from Chicago in 1966.
In 1967, Mr. Carlton bought Carlton's Music from his late brother, Ben Carlton. The store has expanded to two locations: the original storefront in Winter Haven, and its Lakeland location on Harden Boulevard.
"We opened the Lakeland store in 1983. We've been on Harden for seven or eight years," his son, Richard Carlton of Lakeland, said.
Mr. Carlton played guitar and bass fiddle in several area bands, his wife, Sally L. Carlton, said.
"John has always been into music; he thought the store would be something good to occupy his time," she said.
Mr. Carlton's customers included members of high school marching bands, whom he outfitted with horns and drums.
"He even gave a couple of instruments away to kids who had talent, but couldn't afford them," his wife remembered.
Customers found Mr. Carlton's presence reassuring.
"I've heard from older customers that it was the ability to talk to the owner and shake his hand," Richard Carlton said, describing what set Carlton's Music apart.
Mr. Carlton served as president of the Winter Haven Rotary Club and commodore of Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. He was a member of American Legion post 8, Winter Haven.
Mr. Carlton is survived by his wife, Sally L. Carlton; sons, Glen Carlton, Winter Haven, Richard Carlton, Lakeland; and three grandchildren.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Winter Haven.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
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