John H. Land, former Mayor of the City of Apopka, 94, of Apopka passed away Saturday, November 22, 2014. Mr. Land was born in Plant City and moved to Apopka at an early age. He was educated in Apopka Schools and the University of Florida. In June of 1942 he entered the 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 January 1, 1950 to January 1, 1968. Again elected 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, having served over 50 years as church office (Elder, Deacon, Trustee), East Central Florida Planning Council, Florida League of Cities (Past President, 2 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 9August 2003-Governor Appointed), Wekiva River basin Commission (September 2004-Governor Appointed), Wekiva River System Advisory Management Committee 9February 2005-Washington DC 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 (NOCIA), 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) First Municipal Loan council, Trustee.
In 1967 he was chosen “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce and citizens of the Apopka Community. He received the first annual “E. Harris Drew” Award as “Municipal Officer of the Year” in 1978 from the Florida League of Cities. Received the first annual “Community Recognition Award” in 1983 for Leadership in Government from the Orlando Chamber of Commerce and American Television and Communications. On August 24, 2001, Mayor John H. Land was honored for his service to his community, as well as his service to the State of Florida, and the Florida League of Cities. At the Special Business Session of the Florida League of Cities, during the Annual conference, Florida League of Cities, Inc., adopted an Amendment to the League-By-Laws to establish a board of directors seat for Mayor Land in special recognition of his 50th year as Mayor of the City of Apopka. 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. Mayor Land will be a permanent member of the League’s Board of Directors until he leaves office. In 2001, Mayor John H. Land received a Florida Senator’s Proclamation and a Florida House of Representatives Tribute recognizing Mayor Land for his many years of devoted service to the citizens of Apopka, and was proudly declared to an official “State of Florida Treasure.” In December 2005, The Orland -Orange County Expressway Authority officially named State Road 414 as the John Land Apopka Expressway. Mayor Land, the longest-serving Mayor in the State of Florida, is recognized “for his dedication to the Central Florida community and his dogged commitment to this important roadway improvement,” said Expressway Authority Chairman Allan E. Keen. “Naming this expressway in his honor is a small token of our gratitude.” In 2006, Mayor John H. 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; three children, Suzanne (“Sue”), Betty Catherine (“Cathy”) and John H., Jr. -and five grandchildren, Catherine, Samantha, Jordan, India and Caroline.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following; Special Olympics Florida/Orange County, 1915 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont, Florida 34711-1915; The Duvall Home, P.O. Box 220036, Glenwood, Florida 32722; Shriner Hospital, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri 63131; John H. Land Apopka Community Trust, C/O Old Florida national Bank, 1420 West Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka, Florida 32712.