Who We Are
Who We Are
Our staff of professionals has years of experience caring for families from all walks of life. Each comes to us because we are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional integrity.
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When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
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Our History
Our firm traces its roots back, deep into the 20th century, when our first facility was dedicated. Many years later, this location has seen renovations and changes, but has always been and will continue to be an integral part of this community.
Over the years, the original mission of the firm hasn't changed. We have always intended to provide the best, most professional services, complemented by the finest products. Today, we pride ourselves on being current with the major changes in funeral service trends - and bring those innovations and memorialization options to our client families with integrity and insight.
Our Valued Staff
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Greg Brudnicki, PresidentMr. Brudnicki has been with Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home / Carriage Services for the past 32 years. He is Chairman of the Board with Bay Medical Center, and on the Board for the State of Florida Funeral / Cemeteries and Consumer Services.
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Robert Maclary, Managing Partner -
Linda Cooper, Administration ManagerLinda Cooper is the Administration Manager for the funeral home and the cemeteries.
Linda has been with Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home / Carriage Services for the past 19 years. -
Bill Jones, Managing Funeral DirectorBill Jones, LFD., Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, is a 1975, Graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia, and has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1976. Bill is the Managing Funeral Director and has been with Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Carriage Services since 1999. He has extensive experience in International Shipping of remains. Bill and his wife, Jennifer have a 10 year old daughter, Maggie and have lived in the Panama City area for the past 25 years.
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Brian Gallagher, Managing Funeral DirectorBrian Gallagher, LFD., Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, is a 1990, Graduate of Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science and has been with Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home since October 2008. Brian was with the Carriage Family from 2004 - 2006 and holds licenses in 3 states, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida. He has been working with families for the past 20 years.
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Lottie Refice, Administrative Support / Cemetery SupportLottie Refice, Administrative Support / Cemetery Support - Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Evergreen Memorial Gardens, and Garden of Memories Cemetery
Lottie has been with Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home / Carriage Services for over 30 years in several different capacities. -
Mike Scott, Maintenance SupervisorMike Scott, Maintenance Supervisor for Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Cemeteries has been part of the Carriage Team for the past 29 years. He helps in the direction of our cemeteries, Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery / Evergreen Memorial Gardens / Garden of Memories Cemetery
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John Byrne, Advance Planning RepresentativeJohn Byrne, Advance Planning Representative with Kent Forest Lawn and Carriage Services / Evergreen Memorial Gardens / Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery / Garden of Memories since 1977. He has assisted thousands of families with pre arrangement services as well as at need arrangements. He has over 32 years of experience serving families in the local area. He is our Senior Memorial Counselor assisting in the training and directing of all staff with cemetery and funeral home needs. He is married for 39 years to his wife Annice.
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Jason Curry, Funeral Director AssistantJason Curry, Funeral Director Assistant for Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home has been with the Carriage Family since 2007. Jason is the primary Apprentice Embalmer and Restorative Artist handling all types of cases in our general area. He handles the Gulf Coast Crematory located directly behind the funeral home.
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Stephanie Searles, Administrative Support / Media SpecialistStephanie Searles, Administrative Support/Media Specialist and Apprentice Embalmer, has been with Kent Forest Lawn/Carriage Services since June 2008. She is a licensed Subregistar of Vital Statistics and Notary for the State of Florida. She has a considerable amount of experience in personalizing each funeral service for each family that she serves. She is experienced in all aspects of video production as well.
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Debbie Shaffman, Advance Planning RepresentativeDebbie Shaffman, Advance Planning Representative has been with Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home / Carriage since 2000. She is our lead family service specialist assisting in the training of all staff with cemetery and funeral home needs. Debbie is compassionate, caring and is ready to assist your family in pre need situations as well as at the time of need.
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Cindy Farr-Yarbrough, Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Office ManagerCindy Farr-Yarbrough, Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Office Manager
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John Mills, Advance Planning Representative / Family Service CounselorJoined Kent Forest Lawn / Carriage Services in 2008. He came to us after a succesful 26 year career in the Communication Industry. Married with two sons, John and his wife Judy, a career Legal Secretary, enjoy reading, working in their yard, travel and scuba diving. Natives of North Carolina, they moved to the Panama City area in 1998 and now call Panama City their home.
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J. Mike Adams, Advance Planning RepresentativeMike retired from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office after 16 years of Law Enforcement. He is in our Advanced Planning Depatrment and heads up our "In Line of Duty Benefit Program which is designed for all Emergency Responders in Bay County. He received his Bachelor’s from Elon University in NC and has lived in the area for the past twenty years.
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Robert 'Bob' Henry, Funeral Assistant / Administration SupportRobert "Bob" Henry, Funeral Assistant / Administration Support came to Kent Forest Lawn from HM Patterson and Son, Spring Hill in Atlanta, GA. Bob is well versed in all aspects of funeral service. He especially enjoys assisting our families in their time of need. Bob is a former high school teacher and is fluent in Spanish.
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Charles 'Paul' Cuthbertson, Funeral Assistant / Administration SupportPaul obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Universityof West Georgia. He has spent his career as a corporate Accounting Controller and Financial Analyst with various national and international firms in Atlanta, GA before entering semi-retirement in Panama City Beach.
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Jamie Capar, Administrative SupportJamie comes to us from Pennsylvania with 11 years cemetery experience. She is a subregistrar and notary for the State of Florida and has been with us for the past year.
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Bob Lanning, Advance Planning Counselor -
Dan Davis, Funeral Assistant -
Russell Enfinger, Funeral Assistant
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Ann Digsby, Ambassador -
Mary Scott, Ambassador -
Hubert Scott, Ambassador
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Darrell Stephens, Funeral Assistant
