Lee County Commissioner Larry Kiker has died at 67

Lee County Commissioner Larry Kiker passed away this morning, April 23, at Hope Hospice. He was 67.

Kiker and his wife Paula are 20 year residents of Lee County. They are owners of Lahaina Realty, which was originally established in 1966.

According to the Lee County website, Kiker, Commissioner District 3, began his Public Service career in 2007, when he was elected to the Fort Myers Beach Town Council where he served as Mayor for five years.

Kiker was first elected to the Lee Board of County Commissioners in 2012.

Prior to public service, Kiker worked for large companies all over the United States while receiving his MBA from Northeastern University in Boston. Locally, Kiker owned a charter service for 10 years as a licensed USCG Captain and Dive Master.

Kiker has received numerous awards and honors during his public service career. In 2009, he received the Outstanding Citizen award from the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce.

In 2013, Kiker was as a finalist for the News-Press’ People to Watch and in 2014 for the Public Official of the Year award. In 2014, the Florida Association of Counties presented Kiker with the Presidential Advocacy Award.

Larry and Paula Kiker also organize an annual charitable event that directly benefits children on Fort Myers Beach.

Kiker has built a distinguished and proven record as a business leader, community advocate, and public servant.

Regarding his passing, Lee County Commissioners released the following statements:

“It’s rare in the world of politics to find a friend like Larry Kiker. On top of his passionate service for Lee County, he had an amazing sense of humor and always delivered the right quip with the perfect timing.  We will miss our Chairman and will work to honor his legacy.” — Vice Chairman Brian Hamman

“Larry was passionate about serving his community and devoted his heart and soul to the county commission. But above all he was a great friend and I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve with him over the last seven years. He will truly be missed, but never forgotten.” – Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass

“I never met a public official who seemed to enjoy the political arena more than Larry.  And he played skillfully in that arena.  He was a strong and effective advocate for whatever battle he was fighting.  I will miss him on the commission.” — Commissioner Frank Mann

“What I will always remember about Larry was his compassion and caring about all of the issues we face on an almost daily basis. His constituents were well served by him and were well represented. I will miss his analytical style of looking for answers.”  — Commissioner John Manning

The Town of Fort Myers Beach also released a statement Tuesday regarding the passing of Commissioner Kiker:

“Mayor, Captain, Friend Larry Kiker was many things to many people but to the Town of Fort Myers Beach he will always be remembered as a fearless leader, an innovative thinker and someone who left his mark on every project he was involved with. He was a force to be reckoned with. Commissioner Kiker leaves an enormous hole in the political world of Lee County and in the lives of those of us who called him a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife, Paula. His footprints are on the main street of our Town and in our hearts forever.” — Anita T. Cereceda, Mayor