JACK GAYLORD ADMIRE's Obituary
Jack Gaylord Admire, a prominent attorney, local community leader, and philanthropist died Saturday, August 8th, at home surrounded by his family. He was 87 years old. Jack was born October 9, 1927, in Jacksonville, Florida, the son of Otis E. and Mae Admire. He married Ruth Thompson Sullivan of Coral Gables, also a student at University of Florida, on December 18, 1948, and in 1950 attained both a degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Laws degree. He then joined his father-in-law, John C. Sullivan, in his law practice in Miami and Coral Gables. After serving his country as a member of the United States Air Force, the couple returned to Miami, and Jack resumed his practice of law with Ruth’s father. For the next sixty-five years with Jack at its helm, Sullivan, Admire & Sullivan served the legal needs of South Floridians.
Jack embodied his belief that it was his privilege to help others. He served his community in many ways including board member and six- term president of the Museum of Science, board member of the Miami Dade Community College Foundation, six-year president of the Historical Association of Southern Florida, Human Services Coalition Advisory board member, President of the Donors Forum, and board member of the Governor’s Constituency for Children. For years he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Coconut Grove Playhouse and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Coral Gables. He served as a member of the Attendance Boundary Committee for the Dade County Public Schools, helped charter and establish the CHARLEE Program, and was a volunteer attorney for the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida and the Junior League of Miami. He was a strong supporter of public education as a political, economic, and moral imperative. Beginning in 1970 with court-ordered integration, he was an active advocate in the interest of enabling the right of all children to secure quality education. He was a long-time member and supporter of Riviera Presbyterian Church, in which he served as the Clerk of the Session, an elder, a deacon, and a teacher. He also served the wider church as Moderator of the Everglades Presbytery and six years as Chairman of the Permanent Judiciary Commission of the Presbyterian Church USA. Jack’s most lasting gift to the community may be the continuing financial support he made possible for many primarily local charities through the eight charitable foundations he helped create and administer. Over the years these foundations have given over $11million dollars in direct support to organizations seeking to make our community a better place to live. Jack never sought recognition, but it found him. He received the Patrons Icon Award for his support of the Miami Museum of Science, was named one of the 12 Good Men by Ronald McDonald House, received the Outstanding Grant Maker Award from the Miami Dade Committee for National Philanthropy, the Philanthropic Partner Award from Human Services Coalition, the 25 Anniversary Classic Telly Award and many others. Jack was a natural leader, a person of wisdom, excellent judgment, insight and humility. He was able to see through a mass of facts to a creative solution. He had an uncanny ability to bring divergent voices and personalities together into peaceful resolution. He helped others find inner strength and peace. His unconditional love, ethics and principles guided his every act. His marriage to Ruth was extraordinarily rich and a model of love and commitment. He was a caring, loving, patient, and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, always helpful and supportive. His legacy will forever live in the hearts and minds of all those whose lives he touched. He leaves behind his wife, Ruth S. Admire, to whom he was married for nearly sixty-seven years, children, Ruth Admire, John G. Admire (Pam), Valerie Baggs (Mahoney), Susan Admire Harris, Robert O. Admire, deceased, (Rosa), and Mary LeDuc, (Dana), twelve grandchildren, Tricia, Bobby, Ruthie, Thompson, Grier, Alec, Danny, Julian, Becca, Ramsey, Elliott, Victoria and two great- grandchildren, William and Leïla.
Jack was often quoted as saying,
•"There are no problems, only opportunities."
•"It is not our responsibility to help others; it is our privilege."
Services will be held on Friday, August 21st, at 4:00 P.M. at Riviera Presbyterian Church, 5275 Sunset Dr., South Miami. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Admire Family Foundation to enable it to continue it’s legacy of support of local non- profit entities, or to Riviera Presbyterian Church or to a charity of choice.
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