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Educator, Ex-Berry Festival Director Nifong Dies At 83

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By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2008

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  Bud Nifong

PLANT CITY - Bud Nifong, a career educator who immersed himself in the activities of his adopted hometown of Plant City, died Wednesday. He was 83.

A Florida Strawberry Festival director for 30 years, he was named director emeritus in 1995.

Al Berry, a longtime festival director who knew Nifong for decades, characterized him as a respected natural leader who always did more than his share of the work.

"Anything he did, he gave 120 percent. He's so well-respected. It's just unbelievable the love people had for him.

"People would follow him," Berry said.

"For many, many years he was a great asset to the strawberry festival, helping with the agricultural end of it, the steer shows, the swine shows," Berry said. "And anything dealing with 4-H, he was right in the middle of it. The students loved him, as well as any others who came in contact with him," Berry said.

Nifong retired from his lifelong education career in December 1984 after 20 years as Plant City-based director of east Hillsborough County schools.

Earlier, he taught agriculture at Plant City High for 14 years and spent one year as the school district's supervisor of vocational agricultural.

The school system's district administrative office at 703 Thomas St., just west of Plant City's Courier Field, was named for Nifong in 1987 to commemorate his years of service.

Born Dwight Moody Nifong Jr. in the family home in Midway, N.C., he served with the 182nd Combat Engineers from 1943 to 1946, attaining the rank of sergeant. After his Army service, he returned to North Carolina. In August 1946, he married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Beam, now deceased.

From 1946 to 1948, he and his wife attended Brevard (N.C.) College, where he earned an associate's degree. The couple moved to Gainesville, where in 1950 he earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture and, later, a master's degree in educational supervision and administration, both from the University of Florida.

The Nifongs moved to Plant City in 1950, where he began his teaching career.

"Our daddy loved Plant City," said his daughter, Krysta Diehl of Auburn, Ala. "He gave his time, talents
and love to so many. We've been overwhelmed and touched by the stories of people who benefitted from knowing Bud Nifong."

"He was a great guy," said Hal Brewer, a retired physician who knew the couple since he moved to Plant City in 1960. "Bud was very active in the community. He and Wanda both."

Nifong's affiliations with Plant City organizations included serving as president of the Rotary Club, the Elks Club and Midway Volunteer Fire Department.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Wells Memorial Funeral Home, 1903 W. Reynolds St.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com.

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