Jacksonville’s civic and faith communities are grieving the loss of Rev. Allison DeFoor, who died on Tuesday at age 72 after a brief illness. DeFoor served as president and CEO of the North Florida Land Trust, a nonprofit that has protected nearly 37,000 acres of natural space since its founding in 1999.
Decades of public service
Born Dec. 6, 1953, DeFoor was a seventh‑generation Floridian whose career spanned law, law‑enforcement, and ministry. He earned degrees in geography, law, criminology and theology before entering public service. Early roles included prosecutor, public defender, county judge (elected at 28), circuit judge, and sheriff of Monroe County. He also served as an Everglades czar under Gov. Jeb Bush and co‑chaired Florida’s Water and Land Conservation Initiative.
In 1990, DeFoor was Gov. Bob Martinez’s running mate, and later he taught law at Florida State University, where he founded the Project on Accountable Justice. While chair of Tallahassee Community College, he oversaw the opening of the first prison built on a college campus.
Leadership of the North Florida Land Trust
DeFoor joined the North Florida Land Trust board in 2018, became interim president in 2022, and assumed the permanent role the following day. Under his guidance, the trust continued its mission to preserve Florida’s disappearing natural lands, a cause he summed up with the rallying cry, “It is now or never.” In a 2024 interview, he said the organization had “the best team in land conservation in the No. 1 state for land conservation in the country.”
His work helped pass Amendment 1 in 2014, authorizing the largest land‑protection efforts in state history. He also served as a trustee of the Florida Audubon Society, the Florida Land Trust Association, and 1,000 Friends of Florida.
Tributes from city leaders
City Council member Matt Carlucci called DeFoor “a gentle man who was tough as nails, full of wisdom,” and described him as “one of the greatest public servants” he had known. Carlucci urged residents to pray for DeFoor’s wife, former City Council member Randy DeFoor, and their family.
Mayor Donna Deegan issued a statement noting that Jacksonville had lost “a remarkable public servant and a true son of Florida.” She highlighted DeFoor’s varied roles—from prosecutor to priest to conservation leader—and praised his deep love for the state and its people.
Faith and family
Beyond his public duties, DeFoor was an Episcopal priest who served as Canon to the Ordinary to the Bishop of the Diocese of Florida. He was active in several charitable boards, including the Florida State College Foundation, Memorial Park Foundation, Episcopal Children’s Services, and Operation New Hope. His wife, Randy DeFoor, also served on the Jacksonville City Council.
The North Florida Land Trust released a statement saying DeFoor “devoted his life to serving others and protecting the Florida he loved,” noting that his belief in caring for both people and places guided his work.
Legacy
DeFoor’s impact is felt across multiple spheres: environmental stewardship, criminal‑justice reform, higher‑education policy, and faith‑based community service. His death marks the end of a career dedicated to safeguarding Florida’s natural heritage while upholding the values of family, faith, and individual liberty.
Memorial arrangements have not yet been finalized.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
