Jack Theodore Brawner

Jack T. Brawner, Sr. passed away peacefully in Fort Mill, SC on September 20 at age 95, less than a month shy of his 96th birthday with his family by his side.

Jack led a fascinating, optimistic life with a glass-overflowing philosophy.

Jack was born at home the 3rd of 6 children to John and Willie Mae Brawner in Caxambas, Florida on October 10, 1928.

As a child, he and his family spent time living on Marco Island as squatters during the Great Depression. Mr. Collier of Collier County generously provided the squatters with shelter. Jack baited hooks for tourists for a penny a piece and brought these pennies to his mother. At age 13, she let him start keeping half of what he earned.

Jack went to college on the GI Bill after having served in the Air Force. Though he enlisted in 1946, he is considered a WWII vet. He attended the University of Florida to try out for a walk-on scholarship for the Gator football team. Although he played in the Orange and Blue game, he did not receive a scholarship. He transferred to and graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelors and Masters in Economics. He worked 3 jobs during college to send money home to support his mom and younger siblings, yet also found time to be President of Sigma Nu fraternity. Still, he remained a diehard Gator fan. In his last years, his youngest grandson would call him on the weekends to let him know when the football team was playing on TV, and afterwards they would debrief about how good or bad they were. Jack was thrilled when he transferred nursing facilities from NC to SC in his last years, because his new place got the SEC Network.

During his 33-year career with the Federal Government, Jack had a significant positive impact on the fisheries industry. He was a White House appointee under President Ronald Reagan, appointed as Regional Director of the Southeast Region for NOAA / NMFS. He received letters of recommendation for this appointment from key senators and congressmen in both political parties. He was known as tough but fair, thoughtful on complicated issues, and a consensus builder. In the RD role, he worked with US and foreign governments on developing and enforcing fishing regulations and identifying opportunities for joint fisheries management programs. He represented the interests of the US at a meeting of the United Nations in Rome, Italy. One of his proudest accomplishments (which his family loves to brag about) was his leadership with sea turtles and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. He was instrumental in bringing environmentalists, scientists and commercial fishermen together with the result being the invention of the TED, or Turtle Excluder Device, which allows endangered turtles of all species to escape from shrimpers' nets with minimal impact to shrimpers. He also helped spearhead an experiment bringing Kemp Ridley turtles from Mexico to Texas to create an additional environment for them to nest and thrive, which they did. The increased number of sea turtles we see today is a direct result of how he and others worked tirelessly to find a long-term balanced solution. Fisheries management was a tough but rewarding career.

Jack met the love of his life, Syble, on a blind date while living in Miami. He was writing his Master's Thesis on mullet, which they discussed on this date. He was "hooked". Catching and eating mullet would be an ongoing part of the Brawner family tradition with Jack, Syble and their 3 children living and fishing on Boca Ciega Bay in Madeira Beach. Jack and Syble raised their children to believe they could be or do anything they want, and Jack was a proud feminist. Jack and Syble were married 56 years until Syble's passing in 2014. Knowing they are together again helps in our grieving process for a well-loved father, grandfather, uncle, friend and mentor to many.

Jack is survived by his children Jack (Jacquie) Brawner, Jr., Becky Brawner, and Cindy (Mark) Nagel; his grandchildren Keith (Andrea) Brawner, Kevin (Asyvia) Powell-Brawner, Emily Nagel and Adam Nagel; great-grandchildren Lily and Annie (Brawner); and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family encourages you to contribute to the Sea Turtle Conservancy at conserveturtles.org where you can also adopt a sea turtle.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year in Florida.