Robert Eugene Tolar

Robert “Eugene” Tolar passed away on January 26, 2025, at the age of 68 following complications from a recent stomach cancer diagnosis.

Born on October 8, 1956, in Dothan, Alabama, Eugene split his adult life between Clayton, Georgia, and Wesley Chapel, Florida. He grew up in Labelle, FL and graduated from LaBelle High School in 1975. He went on to earn a A.S. degree in Agriculture from Santa Fe Community College, and a B.S. degree in Agriculture from the University of Florida in 1980, and he remained a die-hard Florida Gators fan his whole life.

Eugene’s farming career began in 1975 working for L.J. Nobles of Immokalee Tomato Growers. Farming 400 acres of tomatoes, Eugene was soon running his own farm, and, like his father, Robert, chose watermelons as his main farming focus. Along with his dad and brother, Tony, The Tolar Family farming venture farmed and brokered watermelons successfully for over six decades. Eventually going out on his own, Eugene remained a self-employed farmer for 20 years, farming and brokering watermelon and other crops throughout his career. He was a member of the National Watermelon Promotion Board from 1997-2002, and on the Florida Watermelon board of Directors from 1990-2010.

After retiring from farming in 2015, Eugene embraced adventure—traveling the country with wife Jane in their RV, restoring his Gator-blue 1970 SS Chevelle with a brand-new 502 engine, and cruising on his favorite Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Additionally, he and his family purchased and renovated a property in Monroe, NC, transforming it into a destination wedding venue and event space. There, he and his daughter, Ashley, oversaw countless celebrations. A true jack-of-all-trades, Eugene found joy in building, fixing, and creating—whether it was on the farm, traveling across the country, at the venue, or anywhere else he could lend a hand.

Eugene is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jane Tolar; son Eric (Beth Ann) Tolar of Wesley Chapel, FL; daughter Ashley (Jerrod) Tolar Nance of Indian Trail, NC; sister Betty Sue (Drake) Doty of Statesville, NC; brother Tony (Debbie) Tolar of LaBelle, FL; and six beloved grandchildren: Lyla, Brock, Sadie Grace, Easton, Lawson, and Raylan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Imogene Tolar.

Please contact the family for information regarding the planned Celebration of Life service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and/or Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL.

"Agriculture is the healthiest, the most useful, and the most noble employment of man."

~George Washington