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Obituaries Former Palm Beach County tax collector remembered as a man of the peopleBy CHARLES ELMORE Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Friday, October 10, 2008 Former Palm Beach County Tax Collector John K. Clark wanted his epitaph to be, "I told you so." Mr. Clark died Wednesday in West Palm Beach at age 73, six weeks after the last of several strokes. During a 27-year career in public service, he did not hesitate to tell fellow politicians what he thought, employees what he expected, and taxpayers the level of service he intended to give them.As tax collector, he chose a motto suggested by one of his employees, "We work with you - for you." Mr. Clark, who served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, addressed his employees as "troops," and told them, "The spirit of the motto is what we are about - working with and for the people who pay us." Mr. Clark was appointed tax collector in 1991 by Gov. Lawton Chiles, and was elected to four additional terms.Health problems dogged his later years, but even political challengers such as 2004 primary foe Mike Rios called him a "man of honor." "It breaks my heart to retire," Mr. Clark said in 2006. "But I have always said that if I could not give 100 percent to the job, I would leave. Palm Beach County taxpayers deserve the very best, and I am proud of my years of service." Born in South Carolina, Mr. Clark attended the University of Nebraska before serving overseas in Korea, Iceland and Germany. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bobbie McBane Clark, along with four daughters and five grandchildren. Services will be held privately at his home. Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss The Palm Beach Post from 1/21/2009 - 1/23/2009 BRIAN JOHN DAVIDSON Age 27, was carried to the Lord by Angels on January 17, 2009. He was born on November 18, 1981 in West Palm Beach, FL. Brain was preceded in death by his father, Jack Seyler. He is survived by his loving mother, Judy Seyler; brother, Michael Davidson; niece Shaelyn Maida Davidson of FL; his furry companion Kaya; uncles, Paul Swope, Jr. of WY, Ken (Fran) Swope of WY and Carl (Linda) Seyler of GA; aunts, Linda Schneider (Bob) of FL, Barbara Owens of WY, Kay Asay of NJ, Sara Lear (Rob) of FL, Vivian Trombley of FL; grandma Seyler of FL; grandma Swope of NJ; a loving girlfriend Apryl of WY; and a host of cousins, friends and softball family. Brian will be deeply missed by his LOYAL and DEVOTED ÒDolphin FamilyÓ who loved and respected him greatly, Brian was the foreman for Dolphin Sprinkler, Inc. A visitation will be held from 4-6PM at Palm Beach Lakes Church of Christ Friday, January 23, 2009 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL Minister Dan Jenkins officiating. The service will begin immediately following visitation hours at the Church. Howard Price Funeral Home in North Palm Beach has charge of arrangements. Brian's wishes were to be cremated. Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss The Palm Beach Post on 1/22/2009 William Graham, 84, farmer, town builder, ex-governor's sibling William A. Graham, a farmer and businessman who treasured Florida and excelled at everything he set out to do, died Saturday at his Miami Lakes home. He was 84. Mr. Graham was born on a houseboat in the Everglades and remained in South Florida his entire life, serving as the longtime chairman of his family's business, The Graham Cos. He was a major force behind the development of Miami Lakes, a town that is now home to about 27,000 people and many public parks. "I'll remember my brother as my closest friend," said his younger half-brother, former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham"In many ways he was a second father. He was a person of unusual intellectual depth and judgment, and he had a great sensitivity for other people."Mr. Graham succeeded from an early age in academics and athletics. He played on Miami Senior High's first championship basketball team in 1942, then became a member of Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Florida. For his years of work on behalf of dairy and cattle farmers, Mr. Graham was selected to the state's Agricultural Hall of Fame and the American Angus Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Graham's older brother, Philip L. Graham, was the publisher of The Washington Post; their father, Ernest R. "Cap'' Graham, was founder of the family business and served in the state Senate. In addition to his business accomplishments, Mr. Graham was a World War II veteran who continued to pilot private airplanes after leaving the armed forces. He also was a world-class badminton player, maintaining a national rank into his 70s. Mr. Graham would have celebrated his 64th wedding anniversary next month with Patricia Culbertson Graham. He also is survived by five children - Sandra Younts, William E. Graham, Carol Wyllie, Elizabeth Martinez and Cynthia Gordon - and 10 grandchildren. A celebration of his life is set for 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Miami Lakes Congregational Church, 6701 Miami Lakeway S. Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss The Palm Beach Post on 1/22/2009 Charles Huggins III, age 55 formerly of West Palm Beach, FL officially of Boynton Beach, FL passed away January 14, 2009. He was a Jehovah Witness and for twenty-eight plus years employed with the School District of Palm Beach County. He leaves to cherish the woman he adored for 28 years, Van McGrady Huggins of Boynton Beach; his two hearts, Charnell Huggins and Chontell Huggins of Boynton Beach; loving mother, Sally Mae Huggins of West Palm Beach; two caring sisters, Sylvia Little and husband, Bernard of West Palm Beach and Terry Williams Huggins and her husband, Calvin of Kalamazoo, Michigan; uncles, Eddie Johnson of West Palm Beach and Jimmy Johnson and wife Winifred of Ocala, FL; aunts, Lubertha Huggins and Larcenia Huggins and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and his spiritual family. The family will receive friends Friday, January 23, 2009 from 5-8PM at Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be held 1 PM Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall. Contributed by Norita Shepherd Moss © |