John Carlton, (J.C.) Fulford, 75 of Bradenton, Florida and formerly of Wythe County, passed away on October 1, 2010 in Bradenton, Florida. He was born in Wythe County, Virginia on November 26, 1934, the son of the late John S. & Ollie A. Fulford. He was a 1952 graduate of Jackson Memorial High School in Austinville, VA as well as Manatee Community College and the University of South Florida.

Mr. Fulford worked in some type of law enforcement for over 40 years. He worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Identification Division prior to coming to Bradenton in 1955 where he was hired by the Bradenton Police Department. The last 20 years of his career was spent as the director/coordinator of the Manatee County Law Enforcement Academy. He received a governors appointment in 1984 to serve on the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Mary Joyce, as well as three nieces Jeanine Cochran of Athens, GA, Stephanie Cochran of Germantown, MD, and Joyce Gallagher Bulot of Graham, NC; four nephews, Douglas Cochran and Gregory Cochran, both of Athens, GA, Michael Cochran of Henderson, NV, and Richard Gallagher of Hillsville, VA; and four grand nephews. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth, a sister Velma Sharitz, and his beloved Peaches.

A graveside service with burial following will take place on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Dalton Hill Cemetery in Hillsville, VA with Mr. Gregory Cochran officiating. The family will receive friends at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.