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Dexter Douglass Obituary
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
33 Entries
Reggie and Marsha Tisdale
October 2, 2013
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.
Janice Hogenmuller
September 23, 2013
John and I are so sorry for your loss. Dexter will be missed by all who knew him.
Lisa Kane DeVitto
September 22, 2013
Prayers and heartfelt sympathy to Terese, Lacey, and your family, in the loss of your beloved father.
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Dan Stewart
September 22, 2013
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.
Gladys Deese
September 20, 2013
A guiding light and great friend of years past and great memories of years to come
September 20, 2013
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
Steve Edwards and family
September 20, 2013
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Joyce Coufal
September 20, 2013
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
September 19, 2013
What a great person.....a friend since college. My condolences to all of his family and friends.
Whit Palmer...Ocala
Judy Brett
September 19, 2013
i was one of the many fortunate individuals to have known this brilliant, witty, charming.fair and gracious man. He was by far my favorite client and it was my great pleasure to live up to his high standards and I was lucky to call Mr. Douglass and Janis Pitrowski my Friendsi
Andrea Stephenson
September 19, 2013
Those we cherish will always live on in memory. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to Terese, Lacey & famiy.
Cynthia
September 18, 2013
My deepest condolences. The God of the Bible cherishes men of integrity. May you peer into his words for comfort.
David Lindsey
September 18, 2013
Mr. Douglass had a huge influence on my life. I grew up with his son Will, and the Douglass family was always very warm and welcoming. Mr. Douglass was always friendly and always had a good story to tell. He filled any room that he was in, and naturally commanded respect. Mr. Douglass and my father have been friends since the late 1950s and the two of them have always been my role models. I went on to be a lawyer largely because I wanted to be like Mr. Douglass. My first job in law was as his law clerk. I recall very clearly that at a critical moment during my first trial with him, he turned to me and said loudly, "Lindsey, give me that document!" I didn't know what he was talking about, and so I responded, "What document?" Everyone laughed, including Mr. Douglass. I thought that I was going to be fired. Instead, he teased me about it endlessly thereafter. In his kind way, he gave me a good lesson that I never forgot. That's the way I remember him, a very positive influence throughout. I've since moved away from Tallahassee, but his influence on my life has always been large. The last time I saw him, he wished me well as I had just opened my own law office in Manhattan. It never would have happened without him. I am so sad that he is no longer with us. My thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family.
Jan G. Rogers
September 18, 2013
Dexter Douglass gave lawyers a good name. He was the quintessential wise man, with a sense of humor and a clear eye.
Abby Earl
September 18, 2013
I'm very sorry about Mr. Douglass's passing. He was a wonderful man and grandather. I will never forget going to one of his cattle auctions!
Amber Anderson
September 18, 2013
What a mighty good servant.
Thank you for a job done well.
m b
September 18, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
September 18, 2013
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
G. Freeman
September 18, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Stephen
September 18, 2013
May the stars weep tonight to mourn our loss
Bill Roland
September 18, 2013
He was a great man and will be sorely missed. My prayers go out to the family.
Ann Kass
September 18, 2013
To the Dexter family...my deepest sympathy My prayers go with you
Jane Dowling
September 18, 2013
God bless you and your loved ones ~ Rest in peace.
September 18, 2013
My condolences to the family and friends. May you find comfort from the peace of God during this time of sorrow-Phillipians 4:6, 7. E.D. Park Forest, IL.
G. Jones
September 18, 2013
To the entire family. May the God who gives peace be with you all in this time of sorrow. Rom.15:33.
Ogier & Elaine Mathewes
September 18, 2013
May Dexter's Memory be Eternal. God Bless him and his entire Family.
DStallings
September 18, 2013
rest in peace
September 18, 2013
I send my condolences but soon death will have past.
Kim Tyre Allen
September 17, 2013
Lacy and Family,
So sorry about your dad. Will be thinking and praying for you!
Dwayne Bickham
September 17, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
Michael Schill
September 17, 2013
Dear Mrs. Douglass,
We are sorry to learn of Dexter' s passing. I enjoyed talking to him when I was working on that Perkins case. Our condolences to you and members of the family.
Patrick Fiorill
September 17, 2013
May you reside in eternal happiness.
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