In remembrance: Notable Jacksonville-area deaths of 2019

In 2019 the Jacksonville area lost residents who helped shape the city as real estate developers, architects, coaches, philanthropists, civic and business leaders, educators, doctors and lawyers.

One endured torture as a prisoner of war at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” after being shot down over North Vietnam.

Another led a double life as a high-profile public relations official and serial bank robber who found redemption as a prison minister.

Then there was a nationally known pollster, an architect known as “Mr. Downtown” and an astronomer who was named Florida Teacher of the Year.

Here's a roundup of some of those notable deaths in alphabetical order:

James Akers, 73, discovered his love of flying helicopters while serving in the Army National Guard for 30 years. As general manager of Annie Tiques Restaurant, he became known as “Captain Whirlybird” for entertaining customers with his off-the-wall antics. His flight experience led to his appointment as director of Life Flight and special projects at Baptist Medical Center. He emceed the Children's Miracle Network Telethon for six years and was chief auctioneer for Jacksonville's public television station for 15 years.

Ann Blankenship, 92, was first lady of Jacksonville from 1966-71 when her former husband, Hans Tanzler, was mayor. She represented the mayor’s office at civic and social events, ribbon cuttings and a few ship christenings. She taught math at Lake Shore Junior High School, was dean of women at Lee High School and was instrumental in forming the first Big Sisters Club of Jacksonville.

Marjorie Broward, 95, was the driving force behind Jax Reads, an effort to promote reading and discussion, from 2002-04, when it became First Coast Reads, adding St. Johns and Clay counties. Eager to use her professional librarian skills, she began a 10-year stint at age 70 setting up computerized libraries in theological seminaries around the world.

Patrick Caddell, 68, was an acclaimed pollster who helped propel Jimmy Carter in his long-shot presidential bid. Later, he began advising supporters of Donald Trump and was a contributor to Fox News for a time. During his high school years, he lived in Jacksonville and graduated from Bishop Kenny. He began his first professional political work for Fred Schultz, a Jacksonville state representative and House speaker.

Alvin “Pete” Carpenter, 77, rose from railroad brakeman to the presidency of CSX Transportation from 1992-99 and was vice chairman of its parent company, CSX Corp., until he retired in 2001. Under his leadership, the company's revenue grew 13 percent, operating income climbed 56 percent and the stock price reached new highs.

Michael Cascone Sr., 99, started Jax Navy Federal Credit Union in 1952 when he and 11 others put up $5 each to obtain the charter. It is now VyStar Credit Union with assets in the billions. He was named to the Defense Department Credit Union Hall of Fame and helped promote credit unions nationwide. He retired from Jacksonville Naval Air Station in 1976 as civilian personnel director. He volunteered with VyStar for 63 years and was active with the Diocese of St. Augustine and St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and School.

Wade "Chic" Hampton Cason III, 85, spent 48 years with The Florida Times-Union, rising from paperboy to printer to vice president/production director when he retired in 1999.

Luther Coggin, 88, came to Jacksonville in 1968 when General Motors awarded him a new dealership, Coggin Pontiac-GMC, at Southside and Atlantic boulevards. He added to his dealerships in four Southern states and once owned and operated 26 in Florida before selling them to Asbury Automotive Group. He served as president of the National Pontiac Dealers Association and had many philanthropic interests, including providing endowments for the Coggin School of Business at the University of North Florida and support to other schools, foundations and hospitals.

William Cook, 89, built a forestry legacy in Callahan that included presidency of the Florida Forestry Association, creation of the Florida Forestry Foundation and Florida Forestry Tree PAC, as well as being named to the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2017.

Kenneth "Ken" Cooper, 81, founded Prisoners of Christ and Ken Cooper Prison Ministries after spending more than three years in prison for robbing banks at gunpoint for 13 years. He didn’t need the money but was addicted to the adrenaline rush he felt while committing a crime, he wrote in his “Held Hostage” memoir. He was college-educated, a family man and held high-profile public relations jobs in Kentucky. In 1982, he was shot in the chest by a police officer and sentenced to 99 years in prison. His exemplary prison record and support from well-known sponsors led to his parole in 1985. He had a religious awakening and vowed to help former convicts transition into civilian life. Later, he and his wife founded a ministry that provided long-term transition services.

Winton "Wink" Criswell, 89, had an extensive coaching career spanning almost 40 years. He was head coach at Orange Park High School for 22 years and spent two years at Middleburg High School before retiring in 1994.

Guy Cuddihee, 60, CEO of Beaches Habitat for Humanity, helped raise millions of dollars for local charities. In the late 1980s, he was a founding member of Esprit de Corps, a young professional group that raised more than a million dollars for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and another million for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. He served on numerous boards and was active in many organizations.

John “Jack” Diamond, 74, became known as “Mr. Downtown” for his input on several downtown master plans and his designs of many of the prominent buildings forming its skyline. They include the Prudential complex, the BellSouth Tower, the Federal Courthouse and the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. Diamond worked for KBJ Architects for 27 years, the last 14 as president. In 1997, he started Diamond Architects, later merging with another company that became known as Rink Design Partnership.

George Fetherston, 76, had a long career in hospitality industry management, including at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort in Ponte Vedra Beach and as general manager of Sawgrass Country Club. A public service proponent, he served as president of the Sawgrass Rotary Club, as Northeast Florida director of the American Red Cross and as a minority share owner of the Green Bay Packers.

David Friedline, 83, delivered 2,000 babies and specialized in reconstructive infertility surgery while practicing here from 1966 to 1995. His medical career was cut short when a detached retina led to the loss of useful vision in his dominant eye. His avocation was teaching Bible studies, and he taught a variety of subjects to seminary students and self-published texts and teaching videos.

Rear Adm. Byron Fuller, 91, was a POW in North Vietnam for six years after being shot down on his 110th combat mission in 1967. He broke his right arm, injured his left arm and damaged his left knee enough that he couldn’t walk. Villagers threw rocks at him. He was tortured for 10 days and thrown into a tiny cell on starvation rations for 25 months. After being released from the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” in 1973, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the military’s second-highest decoration for valor. He also received two Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts and the POW Medal. In 1982, he retired from active duty after 37 years. In private business, he rose to become president of Sun State Marine, a tug and barge company based in Green Cove Springs.

Harvey Green, 84, was known as the “master pit boss” at Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q. In 1956, he went to work as a meat cutter in the original restaurant at 4907 Beach Blvd., and he remained there his entire working career. He earned kudos from customers for his smoked barbecue.

Jack Groover, 78, co-founded and served as president and CEO of the Borland-Groover Clinic, the Jacksonville Center for Endoscopy and Jacksonville Anesthesia Providers. He served in many leadership roles and was widely published in professional journals. He is credited with making comprehensive gastrointestinal services more readily accessible to patients.

Michael Halloran, 72, began lacing up his shoes, putting on a reflective yellow vest and going for an early-morning run on April 1, 1981. It became a daily ritual for more than 38 years. His streak ended at 14,076 days and 58,456 miles when he had a heart attack and died at Almours Drive and San Jose Boulevard.

Patricia “Pat” Holliday, 83, was president and founder of Miracle World Outreach Ministries. She published more than 140 e-books. She earned her doctorate at Southeastern Theological Seminary and was a seminary professor for eight years. She hosted a television program, “Miracle Outreach TV,” and a radio program, “Power of Prayer,” for more than 25 years.

Roland Kennedy, 90, was a former president of the Barnett Bank of Jacksonville who was active in civic and community affairs and was appointed to the Jacksonville Community Relations Commission and the Downtown Development Authority.

Lewis “Skip” Livingston, 81, was business editor of the Jacksonville Journal, a columnist and market research manager at The Florida Times-Union, a public relations consultant and the University of North Florida’s first public relations director. He was the founding editor of Jacksonville Monthly, which later merged with Jacksonville Magazine.

Foster Marshall, 83, was an innovative photographer during his 40 years with The Florida Times-Union. He came up with the idea of using a homing pigeon to carry film of President Reagan’s visit from a locked-down Mayport Naval Station. A few of the memorable events he photographed were the Roosevelt Hotel fire, the visits of six presidents, the arrival of the Beatles and Hurricane Dora. He retired in 1994 as assistant managing editor for graphics.

Jean McCormick, 97, was a beaches pioneer who chose purple and white as Fletcher High School’s colors when it opened in 1937, was a founding member of the Beaches Area Historical Society in 1978 and volunteer head of the capital campaign to create the Beaches Museum & History Park in 2006.

Magdalen “Mike” McDowell, 90, led the charge to rebuild the Friday Musicale when it was destroyed by fire in 1995. She had been president from 1989 to 1991 and was asked to take the office again to oversee a fundraising and restoration project. It was successfully rebuilt. She also sang at Carnegie Hall with the Friday Musicale Chorus.

Jackie Moore, 73, was an R&B singer who was best known for her song, “Precious, Precious,” which sold a million copies and reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971. The Jacksonville native also had a hit with her disco single, “This Time Baby,” in 1979. She later retired, married a minister and moved to Fort Lauderdale.

Freddie Mousa, 80, won numerous awards during his more than 20 years with Coggin Nissan. The Ramallah, Palestine, native was the only recipient of its Salesman of the Decade Award. At one point, he opened Flip's sandwich shop in Arlington with his brother, Jack.

John Nelson, 91, began with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 1950 and was undersheriff when he retired in 1987. He became Orange Park chief of police in 1989 and director of public safety before retiring in 2002.

Paul Oberdorfer, 83, practiced medicine in Jacksonville from 1967 to 2004, training his residents to provide the best medical and surgical care and delivering countless babies. After retiring, he continued participating on several medical review boards and played saxophone with The Recycles and the Jacksonville Community Band.

Mike Reynolds, 65, spent his career encouraging people to look at the stars. He was a finalist for NASA’s Teacher in Space Program, was Florida Teacher of the Year in 1986, taught physics and chemistry at Fletcher High School, was Brest Planetarium director at the Museum of Science & History and director of an observatory and science center in California. He was a Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, a post created by the Florida Legislature to honor the teacher who died aboard the Challenger, and had recently retired as an astronomy professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Samuel Root, 100, was a physician in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, treating soldiers in France during World War II. Later, in Oak Ridge, Tenn., he studied the new field of nuclear medicine. He moved to Jacksonville in 1953 and went into private practice. Through the years, he became known for his diagnostic acumen, his willingness to make home visits and his compassion.

Bryant Skinner Sr., 96, was a commercial real estate developer who began developing the Deerwood Club in 1960 in what was then a wilderness in the “middle of nowhere.” Buoyed by its success, he started developing Southpoint at Interstate 95 and J. Turner Butler Boulevard in 1981. Early on, he became involved in Duval County’s Republican Party and was Ronald Reagan’s county campaign manager in 1980. He also headed the committee to establish the Jacksonville Navy Memorial.

Charles Brightman Skinner, 93, and his brother, A. Chester Skinner Jr., owned and operated Meadowbrook Farms dairy from 1950-85. He was instrumental in developing Jacksonville's Southside with land donations to the University of North Florida, St. Luke's Hospital and right-of-way donations for Southside Boulevard, J. Turner Butler Boulevard and Interstate 295.

Richard Skinner Jr., 98, devoted his life to the medical welfare of children. He began the first pediatric group on the Southside with two other doctors in 1951. He identified early learning disabilities not being addressed in Jacksonville and started a one-on-one tutoring program that was later adopted by Duval County Public Schools. He was chief of pediatrics at Hope Haven Hospital for 16 years and had two buildings named for him.

Dennis Stewart, 72, was a noted naturalist and healthy eating chef who was dubbed “Mr. Natural” by an NBC cameraman because he was so comfortable on air. He worked for catering firms whose clients included the White House and Washington embassies. In 1980, he returned to his native Jacksonville where he he had segments on local TV shows, was featured in the city’s Neighborhoods magazine and had a baking company.

James “Jimmy” Strickland, 89, was a country music performer known for “The Jimmy Strickland Show” that aired on Saturday nights on WJXT TV-4 for two years. Grand Ole Opry guests sometimes appeared, and he made several appearances on the Opry. He and his band played for store openings, city functions and political rallies.

Robert Van Cleve, 87, served as a lieutenant commander at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego where he conducted a double-blind study and wrote the lead article in a scientific journal showing that patients could come off the blood thinner Coumadin. Letters seeking copies of the article came from all over the world. In 1965, he joined Jacksonville’s Riverside Clinic as a cardiologist. During his 50 years of practice, he was known for praying with and for his patients.

William "Bill" Van Nortwick Jr., 73, was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles to the First District Court of Appeal in 1994. Retiring from the bench in 2015, he joined the Jacksonville law office of Akerman LLP and was in charge of its national pro bono program. He received the inaugural Florida Chief Justice’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award.

Ralph Waller, 81, and his wife, Sylvia, bought six acres on the Westside and turned it into the Ramona Flea Market in 1971. Eventually, it encompassed 107 acres and included the Ramona Pavilion Ballroom.

Nathaniel Washington, Sr., 93, taught and coached in Duval County public schools for more than 58 years and started the Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet, He also was owner/operator of Patti's Daddy's Restaurant and Quik Stop.

Frederick Woolverton, Jr., 89, took over his father’s Oldsmobile dealership, moved its location and changed its name from Downtown Oldsmobile to Woolverton Oldsmobile. But cars weren’t his only mode of transportation. His love of aviation spanned more than 40 years as he logged thousands of hours flying. He also was civic minded and volunteered 20 years with the Ponte Vedra Volunteer Fire Department, 17 as chief.