John W. McWhirter Jr.

Those who knew “Johnny” well will be smiling at the memory of his entertaining stories and his wonderful sense of humor and great wit. His legacy of laughter is a great comfort to those of us who are left behind.

After graduating from Plant High School in 1950, John attended the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, where he was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He went on to earn his law degree from New York University (NYU) and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1957.

He began his career serving in the Air Force Reserves as a Judge Advocate Officer (JAG) and retired as a Major. He then worked as an attorney for The Florida Railroad and Public Utilities Commission in Tallahassee from 1962-63, where he and his wife Camille made a number of lifelong friends. While there, his contributions to the drafting of the Florida Transportation Act, led to his appointment as the Director of the Florida Transportation Commission.

When their daughter was born, the couple returned to Tampa where they took an active role in the in the community. Over the years, John served as an Assistant Hillsborough County attorney, President of the Easter Seal Society, was a founding member of the St. Andrew’s Society and the Tampa Club, and was past president of the Economics Club (formerly known as the Exchange Club). He was also an avid golfer and past President of the Palma Ceia Country Club, and a longtime member and officer in the Krewe of Gasparilla (leaving a legacy of antics that we’ll have fun remembering). Most recently, he served as the Chairman of the Hillsborough County Library Board, a position that he truly loved and devoted himself to.

After leaving the public sector, John entered private practice in Tampa with lawyers Maynard Ramsey and Sam Bucklew; later transitioning to the firm of Cason Henderson. He took his sense of humor with him into courtrooms, where he had a reputation for opening arguments with a joke. John eventually founded his own firm (with original partner John Bakas) which grew to include many partners over the years but was remembered best as McWhirter, Reeves P.A. John’s partner, Tom Davidson, survives John as the sole proprietor of the firm still known as Davidson McWhirter.

One of John’s most significant accomplishments was the creation of the Florida Industrial Power Users Group (FIPUG), an organization of large industrial powers users. He regularly represented FIPUG before the Public Service Commission when rate hikes were proposed. The association became a major force in the State of Florida, keeping rates reasonable for industrial users and residents alike.

He was instrumental, along with attorney and friend, Jon Moyle, in recommending passage of the Installment Land Sales Act. The Act created the Florida Installment Land Sales Board to which John was appointed Executive Director with Moyle as general counsel. The Board administered rules governing the sale of Florida land to out-of-state purchasers to give Florida the best land development and sales regulation in the nation and to hold developers responsible over the long term for the communities they created and to protect retirees with limited budgets.

Despite his many public service accomplishments, what he valued the most were his friends and his family. He spent his “road’s last turn” traveling to interesting places, visiting with old friends and colleagues, and investing in the lives of his grandchildren. He is survived by Camille, his wife of 56 years; sons John (Andrea) and their children Sarah and Elizabeth (Ellie); his son Michael; his daughter Camille (Ben) and their children, Connor and Anna Lauren; his sisters Carol and Linda (John); and a multitude of beloved cousins, nephews and nieces.

In closing, what an adventure it was to have known him … his honor and integrity … his love for his wife and family… his intellect… his generosity… We say goodbye now to one whom we will miss deeply, but with whom we know we will be reunited again.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in Johnny’s honor to Urban Young Life.

tampaurban.younglife.org