Jack K. Barnhil

Friday, March 6, 2015 saw the passing of a remarkable man, Jack K. Barnhill, 96. Jack was born in St. Petersburg, FL on December 1, 1918 to E.G. and Helen Barnhill. E.G. himself was a noted Florida photographer, inventor and Indian Trader. Jack’s family included brothers, Clayton and Bill and sister, Betty Ann. What is remarkable about Jack’s life is the sheer number of his accomplishments. As a young man he wrestled alligators at his fathers Trading Post in Dania, FL. At the age of 13 he opened his first Trading Post in New Mexico. Jack started a journey of hard work, learning and adventure and never looked back. He married Grace Tarpley (Cordele, GA) in 1941 and they were blessed with a daughter, Linda. For over 40 years, Jack shuttled between St. Ignace, MI where he ran a tourist business in the summer and Plantation, FL in the winter. His business began with a tourist shop and expanded over the years to include a Museum, 100,000 gallon aquarium, and passenger boat line. After learning to fly, Jack purchased a seaplane and began flying passengers to the wilds of Canada. He loved the outdoors and he loved animals. In the winter Jack and family returned to Plantation, FL where he not only constructed houses but built a reputation as a top rated golfer. After a hand injury Jack taught himself to paint as rehabilitation, painting became a major passion and he became well known for his art work with shows as recent as “Artfully Aging” at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. Once he “retired” from his tourist interest, he opened a restaurant at the age of 75 where he was also the baker of popular pies and cinnamon rolls. In 2007 he moved to Tallahassee to be near his family, Linda and husband, Lester Scott. His last years were spent gardening, painting and reading. He liked to say he had gone from smoke signals to cell phones and liked smoked signals best. We’d like to steal a line from the movie “Second-hand Lions”- “He lived, he really lived!” Jack is survived by his daughter, Linda her husband, Lester and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will received friends Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Bevis Funeral Home. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (850-385-2193 www.bevisfh.com.)

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Jack K. Barnhil

December 1, 1918 - March 6, 2015