Edward Charles “Ed” McFadden Jr., (69), a long-time and well-known Tampa attorney, died Dec. 2, 2022, at his home following a long illness. Ed passed away at home surrounded by his family, while the song “Dixie” played softly in the background.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Charles and Esther Jamieson McFadden; a sister, Patricia Henderson; a son, Charles Francis “Charlie” McFadden IV; and two nieces, Allyson Bryant Wright, and Christine Eichner.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; a son, Edward Charles “Eddie” McFadden III; a daughter, Kathryn Elizabeth “Katie” McFadden; a brother, Charles Francis “Charlie” McFadden III; a sister, Noreen “Chook” Seeley; a grandson, Charles Francis Peterson; a nephew, Joie Chitwood III (Susan); two nieces, Catherine Carney and Erin Gamiel; grand nephews, Louis Bryant, Alex Wright, Joel McFadden Chitwood, and a grand niece, Madison Wright.
Ed was born in Coral Gables, Fla., but moved to Tampa when he was young. He attended Wilson Middle School and in 1971, graduated from Plant High School where he starred in football and was known as the “Mean Man” of the Panthers. He attended Maryville College in Tennessee on a football scholarship and later attended the University of Florida. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 1975 where he was the recipient of the Law Day Award. He attended the Stetson University College of Law where he graduated in 1978, third in his class. Ed began his Law Practice in 1984 at the Hutchinson House, Tampa Florida.
Ed was a larger than life presence in Tampa, known for driving his Teal Mercedes, wearing seersucker suits in the summer and holding court on the porch of his antebellum South Tampa home on West San Jose Street, which was under continual renovation. He had numerous friends from all walks of life, always dropping by for impromptu visits. Ed embodied the definition of a true Southern gentleman, who played hard and fought even harder.
“All I want in this creation,” Ed once said, “is an itty-bitty wife and a big plantation.”
Ed stayed active in Tampa Bay athletics, playing rugby for the St. Petersburg Pelican Rugby Club, winning a state championship in 1986. He was a Tennessee Squire, and a member of the Plant High School Letterman’s Club. Ed also coached his children’s youth sports teams and was a fixture at Hector’s Gym in West Tampa.
Ed was a long-time supporter and member of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Va., where he and Suzanne attended their annual balls and functions.
A gathering for Edward will be held Friday, December 16, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM followed by a Memorial Service at Blount & Curry Funeral Home-MacDill Chapel, 605 S Macdill Ave, Tampa, Florida 33609.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blountcurrymacdill.com for the McFadden family.
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