Peyton Turner "Pat" Wilson

PEYTON "PAT" TURNER WILSON, 83
The Latt Maxcy Corp.

LAKE WALES - Peyton "Pat" Turner Wilson, 83, of Lake Wales, Florida died on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 83.
Born on May 12, 1925 in Norfolk, Virginia, to Peyton Turner Wilson and Maybelle Mais Skinner Wilson, Pat and his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina when Pat was a young boy. Pat continued to live in Charlotte until he joined the United States Navy Construction Battalion in 1943. After serving his country and receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Pat moved to Florida in 1946 to attend Stetson University. While studying business at Stetson, Pat met Patricia Maxcy, and they married in 1947. After graduating from Stetson with a business degree, they moved to Frostproof, Florida and Pat began his career with The Latt Maxcy Corporation. Pat worked in every area of the business at Latt Maxcy Corporation; including holding positions as the Ranch Manager, Citrus Production Manager, and Executive Office Manager before becoming President and Chairman of the Board in 1972. He continued to serve as President until 2006 and Chairman of the Board until his death. Pat also served as Chairman of the Board of Citizens Bank and Trust for the past 37 years.
Pat was active in the community on a local and statewide level for more than 50 years. He was a member and former Deacon and Treasurer of First Presbyterian Church. Pat was a founding member of the Florida Land Council, a former two-term Mayor and Municipal Judge of Frostproof (1964 - 1969), and an active member and former Worshipful Master (1962-1963) of the Masonic Lodge, as well as a member of the Shriners, B.P.O. Elks, and A&A Scottish Rite.
One of Pat's greatest passions was the cattle industry. With the experience he gained at Latt Maxcy, he started Pat Wilson Inc., and purchased Crooked Lake Ranch, where he bred and raised registered Polled Hereford cattle. He was a past two-term President of the Florida Cattlemen's Association, and served as an officer and director of numerous other cattle industry associations including the Florida Polled Hereford Association, National Cattlemen's Association (2nd Vice-President), and Florida Simmental Association (of which he was a Founding Trustee). In 1973, he was named the "Commercial Producer of the Year" by the Beef Improvement Federation. In 1975, he was also awarded the "Cattlemen's Award" from the Florida Cattlemen's Association. He has been nominated and will be inducted into the American Hereford Association Hall of Fame, an award he was looking forward to accepting this November in Kansas City, Missouri.
Pat was instrumental in the success of Latt Maxcy's citrus accomplishments. He was a pioneer in citrus production techniques including flatwoods planting and tree topping. Pat was a member of the Florida Citrus Production Managers Association, a member of Cooperative Producers and Ranch One Cooperatives of South Florida and a member of Florida Citrus Mutual. He was also a member of Citrus Marketing Services for many years where he served as Vice President from 1981 until 2001.
As much as Pat enjoyed his work, he particularly loved spending time with his wife and family in Banner Elk, North Carolina and at Boca Grande, Florida. Pat enjoyed hunting and was an avid outdoorsman. He believed in being a good steward of the land and passed this legacy on to his children while spending time with them at the hunt cabin at El Maximo Ranch. Some of his fondest memories included sharing weekend hunts with family, friends and business associates. He enjoyed holding gatherings and social events for his longtime friends at both El Maximo Ranch and Crooked Lake Ranch. Another of his favorite pastimes included watching and supporting Stetson University baseball along with his wife, and following NASCAR.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Maxcy Wilson of Lake Wales; son, Latt "Coot" Wilson of Frostproof (wife - Mary Ruth) and their children Jacob, Caleb and Matthew; daughter, Cynthia Henry of Lake Wales (husband - Charles) and their children Seddon and Max; daughter, Jinx Chaney of Biloxi, MS. (husband - Carl) and their daughter Maxcy; son, Clayton Wilson of Lake Wales (wife - Heather) and their children Von and Ashley; daughter, Claire ("Missy") Blaylock of Cullman, Alabama (husband - Wilson) and their children Claire Peyton, Chesley and Wil; sister, Carol Wells of El Cajon, CA (husband - Paul); and two nephews.
Visitation will be Thursday October 16, 2008 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Wilson's home at 122 Mountain Lake, Lake Wales. Memorial services will be held Friday, October 17, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Frostproof.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Latt Maxcy Memorial Library, 15 N. Magnolia Avenue, Frostproof, FL 33843; Maxcy Foundation, Inc. "Youth Educational Scholarships" 21299 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859; or Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, Inc. "Youth Educational Scholarships", P.O. Box 421929, Kissimmee, FL 34742-1929. The services can be viewed through a live webcast and condolences may be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com