Jack Abelard Harnett,91, of Quincy, FL, born on February 4th, 1933 to Bertha and Clive Harnett in Brooklyn, NY. Jack passed peacefully February 1st, 2025, in Tallahasse, FL surrounded by his loving family.
He was the oldest of 5 children the couple raised in Tampa, FL, graduating from H.B Plant High School in 1951.
Jack attended the University of Florda, but left school to join the United States Army, serving in France during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on October 22nd, 1953, moving back to Tampa to attend Tampa University, where he was an 8-man rowing team champion. After graduation, he attended Stetson Law School, passing the Florida Bar in 1964.
During this time, Jack married Litty Vance in Tampa, FL, on June 9th, 1962, moving initially to Tallahasse. Jack joined the Florida State Attorney General's Office in Tallahasse for two years. The couple then moved permanently to Quincy, FL, where Jack became a law partner with Senator Dewey Johnson. In the mid-sixties he was appointed as City Judge and was known for fairness and integrity. He continued practicing law until 2024.
The couple had two sons, Geoffrey in 1969, and John Charles in 1971. Jack loved watching 'the boys' participate in sports, very rarely missed events, always being the most vocal in the stands, and ensuring no referee was safe from critique, Ever. He was a Florida Gator booster, and fervent fan regardless of the sport the orange and blue were playing. Jack was also an upstanding and dedicated member of the Royal Order of Jesters.
Community involvement was non-optional for Jack. He remained heavily engaged in communal and church outreach until his passing. Throughout his life, he knew no strangers, embraced friends as family, and would give you the shirt off his back.
Jack is survived by his wife, Litty Harnett, his son's Geoffrey (Shellie) and John Charles (Erika), his granddaughter Haley, and his brother James of Alamogorda, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by brothers, Charles and Ed, and his sister, Emily.
Jack will be forever loved and missed.
Visitation and Funeral Services will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Quincy, FL on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 10am and 11am respectively. Burial with full honors will be at the Tallahassee National Cemetery at 2pm.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Tunnel to Towers or The Wounded Warrior Project.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home, Quincy, FL., 850-556-5544.
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