4037 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida
Donald "Don" George Ficke
Tallahassee - Donald (Don) George Ficke, 84 of Tallahassee, Florida passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Born in Roselle, New Jersey on May 18, 1934, Don was the son of Edmond F. Ficke, Sr. and Ann Forest Ficke, who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his brother, Edmond F. Ficke, Jr. and sister, Betty Waterson. His only surviving sibling is Robin Scocca, of Edison, New Jersey.
Don attended public schools in Clark, New Jersey, and upon graduation from high school in Springfield, New Jersey in 1953, as a college student, he dropped out of ROTC and was immediately drafted for the Korean Conflict. He joined the U.S. Army as a military policeman and served in the Korean War. Upon his return to the United States, Don joined the Clark, New Jersey Police Department as a patrolman, becoming a detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant before retiring in 1972. Upon his retirement, Don and his family moved to Keene, New Hampshire where he served as Chief of Police and then moved to Winter Garden, Florida where he also served as Chief of Police. Don returned to college late in life earning both his bachelor's and master's degree in Criminal Justice from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.
In 1979, Don and his family moved to Tallahassee, Florida where he opened insty-prints, a franchise printing company, which he operated until he sold the business in 1991. Don became a state employee working for the Division of Children and Families as a case worker, and then for the Agency for Health Care as the Chief Investigator for that agency's Inspector General before finally retiring from the State in 2004.
Never able to really relax, Don put his real estate license, which he had obtained many years previous, to work and set about selling homes to residents of Leon and Wakulla County.
Upon his final retirement in the past year, Don delighted in giving everyone he met one of his new business cards, offering them a position with his new company named "Perfecting the Art of Doing Nothing" and listing his job description as taking coffee breaks, walking the dog, watching grass grow, taking naps, and going to lunch.
Don is survived by his wife, Rita Johnson of Tallahassee, his daughters, Jan Reid of Tallahassee and Jill (Simon) Cornelius of Allen, Texas, and his three granddaughters, Gabrielle Reid and Ashleigh Reid of Tallahassee and Sarah (Tripp) Lindholm of Allen, Texas, who knew him as "Georgie." In addition, his four-legged children, Joey and Emma, will miss him greatly.
A visitation for family and friends is from 5:30 until 7:00 PM, Monday, March 4, 2019, at Abbey Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.abbeyfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens - Tallahassee.
I knew Don as my Sgt and then Lt. on the Clark Police Dept. When he became chief in Winter Garden my wife did visit him at Police HQ for a bit. Great sense of humor and a very smart guy. I was sorry to see him leave Clark and I'm certainly sorry to hear of his passing.
Bob Clark - retired Clark PD Sgt.
Robert Clark
March 18, 2020
Don was such a great guy with a great sense of humor. A wonderful soul with a warm heart. He will truly be missed. Rest in heaven big guy!
Arctavia Dudley
March 25, 2019
I got to know Don when we worked together selling real estate at Turner Properties. His energy and work ethic was always amazing to me! He loved people and loved making real estate deals. He was an inspiration to me to stay engaged with life and continue to set new goals as your seasons of life change.
Teresa Turner
March 6, 2019
May you the family of Mr Don find comfort from the love and care that surrounds you and strength in the many wonderful memories that you shared. Please accept my most sincere condolences. 2 Thesselonians 3:16
March 4, 2019
Our condolences to Don's family. We grew up across the street from one another. Remember him well until we lost contact when he moved to Florida. I will let my brother John know.
Robin so sorry. He was a busy person. Always on the move but honestly they were the good days.
We will lift you all in our prayers today and in the days ahead.
Barbara Whittle Robinson
March 3, 2019
Jan,
Please accept my sympathies for the loss of your father.
Richard Harris
March 3, 2019
We always enjoyed visiting with Don any time he came into our sign shop. He was a sweet man who we will greatly miss. Our love and prayers are with your family.
Wes and Amy Morgan
March 3, 2019
Please accept our sincere sympathy Rita, Jan & Jill.
Fred & Jean Asal
March 1, 2019
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Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens - Tallahassee4037 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
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Abbey Funeral Home and Tallahassee Memory Gardens - Tallahassee4037 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
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