Mr. Joseph "Jody" Franklin Wingate, 84, passed away on September 12, 2023, at the Suwannee Valley Care Center (Haven Hospice) following an extended illness. He was the son of the late Jess Willard and Mary Magdaline Woods Wingate and is preceded in death by seven brothers Cleve, Lawerence, Johnny, and Gerald Williams and Leo, David, and Bunkey Wingate, and two sisters Lydia Lockerman and Doris Shirley. Jody had made Ft. White his home for the past thirty-nine years after moving here from Jacksonville, FL, he was of the Jehovah's Witness faith. He enjoyed, fishing, drag racing, working on cars, gardening, and spending time with his family. Jody is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Kathy Wingate, Ft. White, FL; two sons Nathaniel Lombard (Veronica) Sparta, TN, and Joel Wingate (Kaleigh Myjak) Titusville, FL; three daughters Venetia Wingate, Jacksonville, FL; Lagina Roy (David) Jacksonville, FL; and Labet Fulford (Harry) Lake City, FL; seven grandchildren Kimberley Gelaro, Jennifer Minsh, Nikki Scholl, Caytilyn Wingate, Johane and Forest Fulford, and Dubhlainn Lombard, and four great-grandchildren Bryant Geiger, Ashton and Christian Minsh, and Camillia McMillan. A Memorial Service for Jody will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at Gateway – Forest lawn Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Reverend Stan Ellis officiating. family will receive friends from 1:30 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. 3596 South US Hwy 441 Lake City, FL 32025. Please leave words of kindness and condolences at www.gatewayforestlawn.com