John T. Ware

Judge/Senator John T. Ware, 73, of St. Petersburg, died Saturday, August 20, 2005 at Hospice House of Palms of Pasadena Hospital from complications of Parkinson?s disease. John was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and moved to Florida when he was 6 months old. He was a graduate of St. Leo Preparatory, Dade City before it became St. Leo College. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving on the USS Saipan traveling around the world. After leaving the Navy, John went on to the University of Florida transferring to Florida State University where he graduated in 1957. John went on to the Stetson Law School in Gulfport, graduating in 1961 and opening his private practice in St. Petersburg. Many people will remember John not only for his legal contributions to St. Petersburg, but his political ones as well. His legislative service was as a State House of Representative from 1964 until 1970, and then he was elected to the State Senate in 1970 until 1982. During these 16 years as a legislator his leadership was a strong influential source for many of today?s major projects to St. Petersburg. Because of John?s long political career in Tallahassee we can thank him for helping obtain funding for the Skyway Bridge, Dali Museum, expansion of St. Petersburg Jr. College, Eckerd College, Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Tropicana Field and many more. John loved boating and for many years owned the Stow Away Cove Marina on St. Pete Beach. He also obtained a charter and was responsible for opening Anchor Savings Bank where he was Chairman of the Board until he was elected a Circuit Court Judge. John served as a Circuit Court Judge from 1984 until 1992 when he returned to private practice. In 1998 John and his wife Joyce opened Ware Real Estate in South Pasadena. John was a member of the St. Petersburg and Florida Bar Associations, National and Florida Associations of Realtors, Suncoast Association of Realtors and was a longtime member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. For many years he was affiliated with AMI and Pinellas Marine Institute, St. Pete Beach. John is survived by his wife Joyce; children Gregory Scott Ware, Stacey Gaeta, Sheryl Ware-Collins, Sheila Brunette, Steve E. Ware and a stepson, Mark E. Lillquist all of St. Petersburg; 13 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; and a brother, Jim E. Ware, Santa Ana, California. John?s family, to honor a man who was loved and respected by so many, is celebrating his life. Friends and colleagues can pay their respect at this celebration, Thursday, August 25th at 6:00 ? 8:00 p.m. at Anderson-McQueen Funeral & Cremation Centers-Tyrone Chapel, 7820 38th Avenue North, St. Petersburg. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, August 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Pasadena Community Church, 112 - 70th Street South, South Pasadena. Interment will follow at Royal Palm South Cemetery, St. Petersburg. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice of The Florida Suncoast or the National Parkinson?s Association in John?s name.