Addis Jerome "Jerry" Hill

Addis Jerome Hill of Tallahassee, known as Jerry to all who knew him, passed away on March 6, 2026, at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marcia Farr Hill; daughter Laura Holloway (Joseph) and granddaughter Addison of Asheville, NC; and son Mark Hudson Hill (Jamie) and grandchildren Hudson and Mackenzie of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by two sisters, Jean Lawrence (James) and Carol Moorefield (Richard) of Columbus, GA, as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout North Florida and South Georgia.

Jerry was predeceased by his sister, Martha Rebecca Davis of Perry, GA, and his parents, Lela Mae Hill and Addis J. Hill of Chattahoochee.

Jerry was born May 7, 1945, in Chattahoochee, Florida. Like many residents of Chattahoochee, the Hill family were small business owners, operating Chattahoochee Dry Cleaners, and they also owned a 200-acre farm in Jackson County where Jerry developed his lifelong passion for fishing and hunting. Jerry and his three sisters all worked part-time in the family business with the understanding that they would attend and complete college-which they all did.

At a young age Jerry displayed exceptional athletic ability. He played varsity basketball as a freshman in high school and was often the team's highest-scoring player. He also played the trombone in the school's marching band, as his mother would not sign the forms allowing him to play football.

Jerry continued his basketball career at Chipola Junior College, where he was named MVP and helped lead the team to the National Junior College Championship Games in Kansas, where Chipola finished as first runner-up. Academically, Jerry focused on science and mathematics as he pursued his long-time goal of becoming a pharmacist.

After considering several scholarship offers, Jerry chose to attend Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, because it had a pharmacy school. While at Samford he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and continued his successful basketball career, setting free-throw records and being named MVP. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in Pharmacy.

Jerry returned to Florida for a year-long internship at F. P. Mays Drugs in Quincy. After passing the Florida Pharmacy Exam, he joined the Army Reserves in 1969. Upon completing basic training, he settled in Tallahassee, where he worked for local pharmacies before joining the pharmacy staff at Eckerd Drugs.

In 1970, he married Marcia Farr, a South Florida co-ed who had decided to remain in Tallahassee after graduating from FSU. Jerry worked as a community pharmacist with Eckerd Drugs until 1980, when he was offered the opportunity to work for the State of Florida as a consultant pharmacist in the newly funded Medicaid program.

Over the ensuing years he served in a variety of health and pharmaceutical roles within the State of Florida. He was appointed Bureau Chief for Pharmacy Services with the Florida Department of Health, where he oversaw a statewide program that included a central pharmacy supplying vaccines and medicines to county health departments, a unit responsible for licensing and inspecting drug and cosmetic manufacturers in Florida, and a unit that conducted quality assurance reviews of county health departments.

Throughout Jerry's entire life his first love was being outdoors and hunting and fishing. From hunting quail as young teenagers with his cousin Ralph Hill in Jackson County to fishing with his dad on Thursday afternoons on the Apalachicola River, he continued to enjoy these activities throughout his life. His first major purchases after buying his first home was to buy three hunting dogs and a saltwater fishing boat. Several more hunting dogs and several more boats followed along with good times with his friends, family and grandchildren. In recent years the hunting and fishing trips had waned, but the stories about his adventures will remain favorite memories of his children and grandchildren.

Jerry was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church. He served as chair of the Leon County Pharmacy Association, served on the Lafayette Oaks Homeowners Association Board of Directors, was Treasurer for the Lincoln High School Baseball Boosters, and coached youth football and basketball through Leon County and church programs.

Jerry lived a life marked by generosity, hospitality, and a love of life. He especially loved making others happy. He was a wonderful husband, father, and granddaddy.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, with visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. CST (3:00 p.m. EST) on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Dykes Cemetery, 7479 Dykes Cemetery Road, Sneads, Florida.

Kelly Barber and Jessie Hill of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Hill family with their arrangements.