John H. Land, 94, of Apopka, died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014.
Mr. Land served as mayor of the City of Apopka for 61 years and is thought to be the longest-serving full-time mayor in Florida history.
Born in Plant City, Land moved to Apopka at an early age. He was educated in Apopka schools and attended the University of Florida. In June 1942 he entered the U.S. Army and saw action in two campaigns in the European Theatre. After the war, he went into business in wire-bound box manufacturing and bulk oil plant.
Mr. Land was first elected as mayor of Apopka in 1949 and served from Jan. 1, 1950 to Jan. 1, 1968. He was elected again mayor in 1970 and has served continuously from January 1, 1971 until April 2014.
Mr. Land was a member of the Apopka Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), Apopka Foliage Sertoma Club, American Legion (life member), Tiger Bay Club, First Presbyterian Church of Apopka, East Central Florida Planning Council, Florida League of Cities (past president, two terms), Board of Directors Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (founding director and past chairman of the board), Apopka Historical Society (life member), Orange County Coalition of Local Governments, Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce, Apopka High School DECA Advisory Committee, Boy Scouts Merit badge Counselor, University of Florida President’s Council, University of Florida Gator Boosters Scholarship Club (director), Beltway 2000, Veterans of Foreign Wars (life member), Orange Lodge # 36-F. & A.M., Lambda Chi Alpha, College Fraternity, METROPLAN ORLANDO Board of Directors (November 2001), Wekiva River Basin Coordinating Committee (August 2003; Governor-appointed), Wekiva River basin Commission (September 2004; Governor-appointed), Wekiva River System Advisory Management Committee (February 2005; Washington D.C.-appointed).
Mr. Land was a former member of the Orange County Council of Mayors, (former president), Florida League of Cities Executive Board, Florida League of Cities Legislative Committee, Mayor’s Task Force on Housing, City of Orlando, North Orange County Improvement Association, Local Advisory Board for Wekiwa Springs State park, Orange County Pollution Control Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Walt Disney World Community Service Award Committee, Toastmasters, Florida Planning and Management Council, Orange County Schools Superintendent Selection, Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum Committee, Orlando Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) (Past Chairman), Tri-County Transit Policy Board (now Lynx Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority) and First Municipal Loan Council.
In 1967 he was chosen Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Apopka Chamber of Commerce and its citizens. He received the first annual E. Harris Drew Award as Municipal Officer of the Year in 1978 from the Florida League of Cities. He received the first annual Community Recognition Award in 1983 for leadership in government from the Orlando Chamber of Commerce and American Television and Communications.
In special recognition of his 50th year as mayor of Apopka, Florida League of Cities Inc., adopted an amendment to the League-By-Laws to establish a board of directors seat for Mr. Land. The amendment states, “Any elected municipal official, beginning his or her 50th year in elective office, for as long as such official is otherwise qualifies to serve as director” shall receive an at-large director seat on the Board. This award makes him the only Mayor in the State of Florida that is classified as direct without requiring election or appointment.
In 2001, Mr. Land received a Florida Senator’s Proclamation and a Florida House of Representatives Tribute recognizing him for his many years of devoted service to the citizens of Apopka, and he was proudly declared to an official State of Florida Treasure. In December 2005, The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority officially named State Road 414 as the John Land Apopka Expressway.
In 2006, Mr. Land received the T. Thomas Gurney, Sr., Community Service Award presented by the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2014 he had received the Lifetime Achievement Award-Tri County League of Cities.
John enjoyed history, hunting, fishing, gardening, attending theater, family gatherings and ice cream socials.
Mr. Land is survived by his loving wife, Betty Hall Land; children, Suzanne “Sue,” Betty Catherine “Cathy,” and John H. Jr.; and grandchildren, Catherine, Samantha, Jordan, India and Caroline.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mayor John H. Land, visit LoomisFuneralHomes.com.