Bob Coward, 82, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Saturday, March 9, 2013.

He was the son of Burdette and Kathleen (nee UpChurch) Coward, born Dec. 16, 1930, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Bob moved from Tennessee to Florida in 1942. He worked in the flower business his entire life. Many years were spent at the flower farm in Punta Gorda. In 1957, he founded Coward Wholesale Florist in Asheville, N.C.

Bob will be greatly missed by his daughter, Karen (Wyatt) Glisson of Punta Gorda; sons, Butch (Dottie) Coward, Matthew (Sarah) Coward and Tony (Sandee) Coward, all of Punta Gorda; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Maxine; and his two brothers.

A service of Witness to the Resurrection in memory of Bob will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2013, at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Tim Stewart and the Rev. Valerie Bell officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Tidewell Hospice. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.Ltaylorfuneral.com and sign the online guestbook.

Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.