Samuel Brodnax

1930 - 2021

Samuel Brodnax
April 19, 1930 - November 29, 2020
Pinecrest, Florida - Samuel A. Brodnax, Jr., age 90, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving wife of 60 years and family in Pinecrest, FL. on Sunday, November 29th, 2020.
He was born April 19th, 1930 in Atlanta, Ga. to Samuel A. Brodnax, Sr. and Flora (VanSandt) Brodnax. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL., then attended Emory University, where he was president of his fraternity Phi Delta Theta. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard with his law degree.
He was asked to clerk for the Supreme Court Justice, in Tallahassee, FL., after graduating law school. In 1956, he moved to Miami, FL. and was hired by the Smathers, Thompson, and Dyer law firm. In 1956, he helped to author the Florida Appellate rules. It was at this first job, where he met Peggy Hockaday, whom he married in 1960.
In 1965, he opened his own law firm Batchelor, Brodnax, and Guthrie, with his friend, Douglas Batchelor, and specialized in Aviation and Maritime Law for over 22 years. He was considered a pioneer in the field of Aviation Law and was listed in many Harvard Law Reviews for this. Later on, Samuel and Doug joined Smathers, Thompson, and Dyer, as partners in the firm. The firm then merged with Kelley, Dyer, and Warren out of New York, where he remained as a partner until retirement in 1996.
Samuel was highly ethical and well respected, both by his clients and peers in the legal community, as well as his family and network of friends. He was a true scholar and enjoyed learning new things long after retirement. He was intelligent, honest, loyal, humble, generous, and kind, but most of all he was just an all-around good person.
Outside work, he was a member of the University Club, Kiwanis Club, and Beach Colony Club. Samuel and Peggy enjoyed classical music, traveling abroad, playing tennis, and bridge with many longtime friends. Upon retirement, one of his clients made a large donation in his honor to Farm Share, Inc. where he volunteered for over 5 years. He believed in giving back to the community and in 2000, he won the Volunteer of the Year Award for Miami-Dade County.
As a father and grandfather, he was a wonderful role model, who inspired us to be the best person we could be, providing guidance and support for our education and dreams. We will treasure all the good times spent in your presence, and vacationing as a family in the North Carolina, Blue Ridge Mountains and other destinations. You will always remain in our hearts and minds forever as a devoted, loving and compassionate husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his beloved wife Peggy (Hockaday) of 60 years, daughters, Lynn (John) Buonasera (Largo, FL.); and Jan Brodnax (Miami, FL.); 3 grandchildren (Eric Lewis); Alexis Buonasera; and Kristin Buonasera; his sister Ruth Craig (Pennsylvania) along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the family will have a private service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to The American Cancer Society cancer.org or Alzheimer's Association alz.org.