James Rollins Eddy, 91 of Seminole County, Florida passed away on January 20, 2023 peacefully at home with family after battling Leukemia.
Born in Collinsville, Connecticut he attended Choate Preparatory School in Connecticut where he was given a tour by Choate Alumni John F. Kennedy (Later President of the United States). He attended Duke University (1949-1953) where he was a varsity wrestler, a student pilot, and an Air Force ROTC Cadet. Upon graduation he served as an Air Force Intelligence Officer in Japan and Korea where he was assigned to HQ 3rd Bombardment Group (Tactical) and flew B-26s. In the USAF Reserve & Auxiliary he obtained the rank of Major.
Upon leaving active duty he attended Law School at The University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida graduating with an LL.B. and later a Juris Doctorate. He was a member of the Phi Delta Beta Law Fraternity where he received a scholarship medal.
Upon joining The Florida Bar in 1959, Mr. Eddy went into private practice and in 1963 he ran successfully for the Florida House of Representatives representing Broward County at-large as the First Republican elected to a State office from Broward since Reconstruction.
He became The House Minority Floor Leader, The Minority Whip and The Chairman of the Broward Delegation to the House, Vice Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Joint House & Senate Committee on the Constitution, which drew the 1968 Florida Constitutional revision.
Mr. Eddy served on the powerful Rules Committee, Appropriations, its sub-committee on Higher Education, served as Vice Chairman of the Pari-Mutuels Committee and the Government Organization Committee. He was active in changing the Administrative branch of government from 106 agencies to 4 departments.
Mr. Eddy was a member of the Legislative Counsel, which was made up of one Senator and one House member from each Congressional district and published the Florida Statutes as well as making policy.
After being elected four (4) consecutive times to the State House, Mr. Eddy retired to his private practice in 1969.
While working as a Civil Trial Lawyer, Mr. Eddy has served as a Municipal Judge for both Lighthouse Point and Tamarac, City Attorney for Deerfield Beach, City Prosecutor for Pompano Beach, and City Lobbyist for Wilton Manors. He served as a VAB Tax Magistrate Judge for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.
He also was President of Pompano Players, a community theater and President and founder of Pompano Flyers, a sport civil flying club.
Jim is survived by his wife Jeannie Lee Eddy; children and stepchildren Deborah Grose (Eric), James C. Eddy (Chrystine), Justin Eddy (Michelle), Robert Charles J. Brady, and Trish Leslie (Greg); many grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his brothers and sister.
Graveside Service with military honors will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US Highway 1, Mims Florida.