Rep. Clay Ford leaves void

Florida Representative Clay Ford died on March 18 at 74, leaving not only a vacant seat but a legacy of public service.

Before moving to Florida in the 1980s, Ford was active in his home-state of Arkansas. Ford served in the Arkansas House as a representative from 1975-1976; he served on the Arkansas Pulaski County Special School District Board from 1977-1979; and was a delegate for the Arkansas Constitutional Convention from 1978-1979.

“I’ve been thinking about when he first came on the scene in Gulf Breeze and started getting involved in city government,” said Ed Gray, III, former Gulf Breeze mayor. “We didn’t know if he was somebody to be suspect in coming from Arkansas, or if he would be a statesman. He was definitely a statesman.”

For the complete story, see the March 21 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.