Originally from New Jersey, Ed Tooker never planned on settling in Jacksonville. He was heading south en route to Fort Lauderdale, where he had previously spent spring break and planned to move. On the way, though, he stopped in Jacksonville to visit a friend who lived in Riverside, rerouting his trip and, ultimately, his life.
“It was the best detour I ever did – the rest is history,” said Tooker, remembering how he first came to move to Jacksonville in 1988.
Though he moved away twice – once to Portland and later, to Atlanta – Jacksonville kept pulling him back. After a decade in Atlanta working in real estate, he returned for good and now lives in a historic 1938 bungalow on Felch Avenue.
“I drove around street by street,” he said, describing how he found his home. “Saw a little bungalow and told my agent, ‘Start writing an offer.’”
He’s since renovated and updated the house with care. He shares his home with MYSTR, a 12-year-old rescue dog he recently adopted and saved from euthanasia.
Tooker loves San Marco’s walkability and central location. He appreciates being steps from the Metro Diner and minutes from downtown, where he frequently attends concerts, plays and sporting events.
Tooker also finds joy in the neighborhood’s historic character. He calls San Marco Square the crown jewel of the community and always enjoys showing it off when people come to visit him.
Outside of real estate, Tooker is deeply involved in the local LGBTQ community, serving as an event organizer with the OUTdoorsy Adventure Team, a nonprofit that hosts inclusive hikes and outdoor experiences across Jacksonville and beyond.
One of his signature events is an annual sunrise beach gathering, followed by a hike at Cradle Creek Preserve and brunch. The group also holds urban hikes through historic neighborhoods like LaVilla, fostering appreciation for their architecture and culture.
Tooker sees these hikes as more than just exercise; they’re a way to connect people to the city’s changing landscape. He’s especially excited about the Fuller Warren Shared Use Path, the Emerald Trail and their potential to link neighborhoods across Jacksonville.
“People won’t be segregated to parts of the city; they’ll be exposed to lots of different people,” said Tooker.
Most hikes are local, within an hour or so of town, though the group occasionally ventures farther: They’ve gone zip-lining and kayaking in Ocala and took their first flyaway trip to Puerto Rico last June.
“We had someone in the group whose family lives there,” said Tooker. “So they helped organize and show us the culture from a local perspective.”
In addition to hiking with OUTdoorsy, Tooker enjoys some time to himself fishing. He fishes off his paddleboard in the river, the Intracoastal and the ocean. He also likes surf fishing from the beach and has gone fly fishing in North Georgia and Tennessee.
“Whether I catch something or not, it’s always a good day when I’m fishing,” he said. “Even if it’s a crappy day, it gets you out of your head.”
After three detours to Jacksonville, he is certain this one is permanent.
“I live in the 904-area code for the third and last time,” said Tooker.
