In Memoriam: Thomas Lester Hazouri
Thomas “Tommy” Lester Hazouri, Sr., 76, was born in Jacksonville on Oct. 11, 1944 and died at home in Jacksonville, FL on Sept. 11, 2021.
He served for 12 years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1974 – 1986, as Mayor of the City of Jacksonville from 1987 – 1991, and as a Duval County School Board member from 2004 – 2012. While in the Florida Legislature, he was Chairman of the Duval Legislature Delegation, House Committee on Education K-12, and House Committee on Retirement, Personnel and Collective Bargaining. He was also a member of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Funding and Subcommittee on Personnel. He was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles to the Florida Ethics Commission, and Chaired the Sheriff’s Mental Health and Crisis Episodes Task Force. As Mayor, he led the effort to eliminate the tolls from Jacksonville’s roads and bridges. He also implemented an anti-odor ordinance to relieve the city of its foul odor. Tommy was honored for the opportunity to serve Jacksonville again as an At-Large City Councilman. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Government from Jacksonville University, where he was Student Body President. He was an honorary member of the San Jose Rotary Club. He and his wife, Carol were married for 42 years and were members of Mandarin Presbyterian Church.
As a young man his brothers caught him singing to his girlfriend on the phone. He enjoyed fishing with his brothers & son. While he was an avid football fan he really didn’t know much about the rules. He was not athletic & was a poor golfer. Playing cards & gambling at the casinos was a pastime & he liked going to The Hard Rock. Tommy was always late-never on time. His family called it “Tommy Time”. He really enjoyed a good cigar & would fight anyone for the turkey wing at holidays. His second office was Panera Bread where he gathered with his cronies almost every morning. He truly loved people & their stories & was one of the greatest listeners. His extra-large family clan will greatly miss his big smile.
Preceded in death by his father, Neal Elias Hazouri, his mother, Amelia Ann Abraham and one brother, Neal Elias Hazouri, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Carol O’Brien Hazouri, his son, Thomas Lester Hazouri, Jr., 2 brothers, Richard P. Hazouri, Sr. and his wife, Jo, Robert E. Hazouri and his wife Sandra Davis and countless nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the American Lung Association.
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville. 904-737-7171.
Please sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com.
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