May God bless you and your...
Valenda Newell
November 08, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
1929 - 2013 (Age 83)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Dexter Douglass, one of the lead attorneys who represented Vice President Al Gore during the chaotic presidential election recount of 2000, has died.
Douglass was 83.
Lacy Douglass said her father, who had been battling bladder cancer, died early Tuesday morning at his home in Tallahassee.
Douglass, who his daughter called a "staunch Democrat," was deeply involved in Florida politics and policy for decades.
"He was just a good person, he was good-hearted, he liked to take care of people," Lacy Douglass said.
Douglass was a life-long friend and adviser of former Gov. Lawton Chiles. The two men met each other while attending the University of Florida. Douglass, who had worked as a private attorney most of his career, worked for Chiles as general counsel.
But Douglass left that job in order to guide a constitutional revision panel that made several sweeping changes to state government in 1998. Voters approved amendments that year that shrank the size of the state Cabinet and made the governor more powerful.
Douglass became known nationally as one of the lawyers representing Gore in a push to recount ballots following the close results in Florida. His demeanor in court led The New York Times to call him a "stem-winding old-school Tallahassee orator who in another era would have worn a white suit and a pocket watch to court."
The recount drama ended after 36 days when the U.S. Supreme Court halted the recount of ballots that had been ordered by the Florida Supreme Court.
During his lengthy legal career Douglass was involved in several notable cases, including representing politicians who had gotten into trouble. He helped get Mallory Horne - the only Floridian to serve as both House speaker and Senate president in the 20th Century - acquitted of money laundering charges in a drug smuggling case.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Valenda Newell
November 08, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
We are so saddened to hear of Dexter's passing. We got to know him during our time in the cattle business. We have so many fond memories of being in his and Terese's home and even patterned ours after it when we built. He was such a charming, smart, engaging man and we had the highest regard and respect for him. Our sincere condolences to the family. May God bless.
Reggie and Marsha Tisdale
October 02, 2013 | Sorrento
John and I are so sorry for your loss. Dexter will be missed by all who knew him.
Janice Hogenmuller
September 23, 2013 | Tallahassee, FL
Prayers and heartfelt sympathy to Terese, Lacey, and your family, in the loss of your beloved father.
Lisa Kane DeVitto
September 22, 2013 | Tampa, FL
Our sympathy to the Douglass family. And many thanks for allowing Dexter to lead Florida. My first memory of Dexter was a meeting with Lawton Chiles and Dexter reminding me he was from Crestview. My last was his coming to my father in law's 90th birthday and later speaking at his funeral in Crestview-Judge Gillis Powell. He was forever young and briillant. God Bless.
Dan Stewart
September 22, 2013 | Pace, FL
A guiding light and great friend of years past and great memories of years to come
Gladys Deese
September 20, 2013 | Thomasville, GA
We are so sorry for your lost and our prayers will be with you and your family. We enjoyed getting to know him It was fun talking to him he was a special person . Jimmy and Vickie Burns
September 20, 2013
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Steve Edwards and family
September 20, 2013 | Tallahassee, FL
I was sorry to hear about Dexter. It has been years since I have seen you, but I will always remember the great times we had when Larry and I lived on "your ranch" and helped with your cattle. Dexter always made me laugh. He was a great story teller and I always felt welcome in your home.
Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you all in this time of great sorrow. I hope your wonderful memories will help.
Joyce Craven Coufal
Joyce Coufal
September 20, 2013 | Leesburg, FL