John (Jack) Frierson Gaillard, passed away peacefully June 2 surrounded by his family.
Jack was born in Jacksonville on July 28, 1934, to Martha Lee (Tillman) Gaillard and Henry Frierson Gaillard. He graduated from the University of Florida and the University of Florida College of Law and practiced law in the state of Florida for more than 60 years.
Jack worked passionately throughout his life to improve and enrich the lives of its citizens. When a new group of more effective medicines resulted in thousands of patients being released from state mental hospitals in the 1960s, Jack used his role as president of the Jacksonville Mental Health Association to create halfway houses for their transition back into the community from what had been a life sentence. He represented many of them in restoring their civil rights.
In his role as president of the Florida Mental Health Association, he led a special committee that drafted and received passage of the state’s first community mental health laws that shifted emphasis from large state hospitals to community treatment facilities.
During these years, he also served as chief assistant state attorney for Duval County.
His most prized contribution came in his capacity as committee chair and president of Daniel Memorial Home for Children (Daniel Kids). He led its transition and advancement from orphanage to residential treatment center for emotionally damaged children. To this end, he chaired committees to build new residences, recruit a new CEO and secure additional operating funds.
He also served as president of Jacksonville’s Mental Health Clinic (now the Mental Health Resource Center) and as a member of the District Mental Health Board, which the earlier legislation created.
As chief counsel for the State Board of Health (now the Florida Department of Health), Jack led litigation to improve living conditions for guest workers in the Everglades.
In 1967, when the Charter for Consolidated Jacksonville was before the Florida legislature, it was necessary to redraft the judicial article for Constitutionality. He wrote a successful article that streamlined the city’s courts system from seven levels to two.
While serving as vice president of legal and public affairs of the Florida Publishing Company (FPC), he was its board member of Area Communications, Inc. In that capacity, he engineered a joint venture with American Telecommunications Company (now Time Warner) to build and operate Consolidated Jacksonville’s first cable television system (now Comcast). He also was president of FPC’s wholly owned subsidiary TV system in Clay and Nassau counties during their build-out phase.
When Jacksonville’s cable system was under construction, he initiated news and advertising services from Florida Publishing Company headquarters advertising services to cable audiences.
Jack served on the board of the MESBIC (a minority lending organization) and chaired the JCCI study on minority businesses in Jacksonville. Jack also chaired the United Way study on the education needs in Duval County. He served on the boards of Hope Haven Hospital, the Child Guidance Clinic, Memorial Hospital, the Jacksonville Urban Legue and the Ritz Theatre. Through the Church of the Good Shepherd, he also served on FISH duty, where he gave rides to those needing services at the University Hospital (now UF Health Jacksonville).
Jack loved the arts, serving on the board of the Jacksonville Symphony and the Jacksonville Art Museum (now MOCA). With his wife, he collected the works of area artists, and when the irreplaceable E.M. Skinner organ at the Church of The Good Shepherd fell into disrepair, he chaired a committee that raised the funds and oversaw its restoration. He also served three terms on its vestry.
As president of Jacksonville’s Arts Assembly (now Cultural Council), he led the acquisition and restoration planning of the Florida Theatre. He also served on the State of Florida Fine Arts Council and shared in founding the St. John’s River City Band and the Riverside Fine Arts Association.
He enjoyed bringing performing artists to his native city, among them Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, John Williams and The Atlanta Symphony under Robert Shaw.
His most rewarding activity came as he worked directly with clients, including those of The Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels and Jacksonville’s Area Legal Aid, on which board he also served.
Jack treasured Richard P. Daniel, Judge Bryan Simpson and J.J. Daniel as friends, mentors and benefactors. He was blessed with valued assistance in his activities from Stanley Taylor, Ed Hitt, Bob Yates, Trinita Logue, Loraine Ruttger, Carolyn Gentry, Dan Cook, Booth Summer, Steve Tappe and other dedicated colleagues.
His greatest joy was his family, who were fortunate to be regaled by his tales of his complicated and quietly valiant life. Jack shared with his family his values and passions, leaving behind a legacy for history, political science, social justice, civil rights, music, art, mental health rights, dying with dignity and community service.
Predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Samuel Dunlap Gaillard and James DuBose Gaillard (Elaine), he is survived by his adoring wife of nearly 59 years, Patricia “Patsy” Eskew Gaillard; his children, Martha Brice Gaillard, John Westcott Gaillard (Scott) and Rachel deBelle Gaillard; his grandchildren, Julia Gaillard Sandlin and Benjamin Frierson Sandlin; and his brother, Richard Lee Gaillard as well as a host of other beloved family members including the Dunlaps, the Borlands, the Buckmans and the Hendrixes.
