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Feature
   Popular Trailblazer Rubin Padgett Passes After Battle With Cancer
 BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Well-known business- man and former politician Mr. Rubin Eugene Pad- gett passed away Saturday afternoon, March 27, 2020, after a battle with cancer. He was 89 years old.
A Tampa native, Mr. Padgett was born Novem- ber 28, 1930. He received his early education in the Hills- borough County School Dis- trict and attended the University of Chicago and the University of Florida.
Mr. Padgett married Richedeen Jones and to- gether they had 6 children (4 boys and 2 girls): Earl Johnson, James Padgett, Rubin Padgett, Jr., Juanita Padgett-Under- wood, Nolan Padgett and RaShonda Powe.
Mr. Padgett was well known in the community for his involvement in the healthcare business, follow- ing in the footsteps of his mother, Mrs. Susie Pad- gett, who opened Padgett’s Nursing Home.
During his Padgett’s Nursing Home career, he was involved in the commu- nity as well as his family business. Mr. Padgett was
MR. RUBIN E. PADGETT
He was elected to the Florida Health Care Associa- tion, where he served in the Office of Treasurer and the Office of Vice President.
Recognizing his service in the healthcare community, Mr. Padgett was appointed to the Federal Health Care Association under Presi- dent Jimmy Carter. Dur- ing this time he helped formulate the Federal Bill of Rights for Nursing Home Pa- tients.
In 1978, he was appointed by the Carter Administration to go to Africa on a goodwill trip representing the United States of America.
Mr. Padgett served sev- eral years on the Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, initially ap- pointed by Mayor Dick Greco as the first African American on the Board; and reappointed by Mayor Bill Poe; and in 2008 was re-ap- pointed by Mayor Pam Iorio.
The list of ‘firsts’ for Mr. Padgett continues.
He was the first African American elected to the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, serving two full terms; and the first African American elected as Chairman of the Board of
Commissioners. While a commissioner, 3 libraries were built in his District – Thonotosassa, Belmont Heights and Palm River. During his tenure, he also implemented a program that saved the West Tampa Li- brary from closing.
He was the first African American to serve on the Tampa International Airport Authority, where he served as Secretary.
In 2000, Mr. Padgett served as CEO/President for 2 years of the Hillsborough County Crisis Center.
He was also a longtime member of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin Editorial Board.
The Tampa Housing Au- thority honored Mr. Rubin Padgett by naming a hous- ing complex. The Arbors at Padgett Estate Apartments.
The City of Tampa named a park in Palm Rivers in his honor, the Rubin Padgett Sports Complex.
He has received numer- ous awards and commenda- tions.
Funeral services are in- complete as we go to press, however the family says the service will be private. Ray Williams Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
  appointed by Governor Rubin Askew for the State License Board of Nursing Home Administrators, and re-appointed by Governor Bob Graham, where he served in the Office of Secre- tary and Office of the Chair-
man of the State Board.
Mr. Padgett served as a Trustee on the Board of Tampa General Hospital and later served as the first African American on the University of South Florida
Board of Trustees.
     TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3







































































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