Lester Howard Mickler

Lester Howard Mickler, known to most as "Mike", passed away at home at the age of eighty-seven on 8/12/2024, on the day of his 63rd Wedding Anniversary. Mike was born on March 14, 1937, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, beginning the 9th generation of Florida-born Micklers, who dated from the mid 1700’s.

Mike’s early years were spent in Murray Hill, Florida, where he developed his lifelong love for the outdoors, the St. John’s River, and the Atlantic Ocean. His childhood was marked by the simple joys of rural life, attending and serving Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Murray Hill, adventures with his friends, and having fun with his brothers and his closest cousin, Mercedes Mickler Hoffman.

He was the oldest of three boys of Lester Joseph Mickler and Gladys Howard, and along with his brothers, Robert Oliver “Cinder” Mickler, (Maureen Heaney) and Martin Joseph “Marty” Mickler, (Lynn Callahan), he grew up in Murray Hill close by to his Aunt, Agnes Marie Mickler James (Bud), cousins Joseph (Diane), John (Donna), Janice, Jeff (MaryAnn) and James, and also his Uncle, LeRoy Norbert Mickler (Kitty) and cousins Patrick (Lois) and Kathy (John Henry David). Mike’s father died suddenly at age 46, when Mike was just sixteen, leaving him to help care for his mother, Gladys, and younger brothers, Cinder, and Marty.

His father loved to chase any vehicles with sirens who drove close to their house, throwing the kids in the car to go see what the emergency was. Mike was on the football team at Bishop Kenny, and he also served as a lifeguard on Jacksonville Beach as a teenager, demonstrating his muscular frame to all the young girls who stopped for directions.

A proud member of Bishop Kenny High School's first graduating class in 1955, Mike’s journey took him through a variety of educational and professional endeavors. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1955, serving 2 years Reserve, 2 years Active Duty and 2 years Inactive Reserve, where he endured (too-many-to-count) “Victory at Sea” films shown by the Navy during the two years of his Weekend Warrior stints. While on active duty, he was stationed at Bainbridge, Maryland and Norfolk, Virginia. His service included a notable deployment on the USS Ranger’s first sailing – chasing storms in the Bahamas and Caribbean followed by a tour of the far East with ports in The Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan, where he held the position of petty officer recruit chief in the Operations Department. He was honorably discharged in 1961.

Following his military service, Mike pursued higher education at the University of Florida and Jacksonville University, where he earned a BA in Business Administration. His professional career began at Firestone, taking him and his young family across Florida. He later ventured into advertising with paths that took him to Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Dallas, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Miami, and eventually back to his beloved Jacksonville. He worked for a number of Advertising Agencies including Young & Rubicam, BBD&O, Caravetta, Allen & Kimbrough, and William Cook. He spent the majority of his career working with various automotive dealer associations, traveling with the large, rowdy, impulsive and colorful group of car dealers, straddling the line between Account Executive and cat herder, becoming friends with many, and earning the respect of most, with his mild-mannered demeanor, casual wit, and professional charisma.

In 1961, Mike married the love of his life, Geri (Lavoro), with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. Together, they raised four sons: Michael J. Mickler (Karen Gaumer), Peter L. Mickler (Julie Butson), William H. Mickler (Marcy Sherrer), and James R. Mickler (Paula A. Trujillo). He was a playful father, involved with Mom in teaching us swimming, baseball, skiing (while living in Pittsburg), taking us to see the Steelers and the Pirates play in Three Rivers Stadium during the early ‘70’s, many, many fantastic car shows, and later taking us to meet Don Shula and the Dolphins on the field in Miami. He would frequently take one of the boys to work with him in Orlando for the week during summers, leaving us with as many quarters as we needed for the day to play video games at the hotel while he worked, and then out to a nice restaurant for dinner that evening. What a treat!

His professional accomplishments were paralleled by his dedication to community service, particularly through Rotary International of Mandarin and Rotary International of San Jose, and also his work with the Guardian of Dreams program, raising money for Catholic schools on Jacksonville’s Northside, and involved with initiating the delivery of Bibles to underprivileged Catholic school children. His life was always guided by the commitment to share God’s love with others.

Mike led a life filled with service to others, enduring friendships, and unwavering commitments to his family, his Catholic faith, and his community. Mike, known as “Paca” to his grandchildren, was a compassionate and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, cherishing time spent with his grandchildren (from Mike): Johanna (Spencer), Amelia, Michael; (from Peter): Jessie (Robert), Adam, Lauren; (from Bill): Austin (Nicole), Allie; (from Jim): Madeline, Marisa (Andrew), Macy, Maria, Peter, Charlie, “adopted” granddaughter, Isabella (Trujillo); great-grandchildren Elijah and Hayes, and nieces and nephews: Bryan Mickler (Laura), Robert Mickler (Julie), Megan Mickler Ira (Cliff), Jennifer Mickler, Bruce Melcher (Ellen), Sharon Melcher Harmon (Terry), Marie Lavoro (Mike), Jennifer Lavoro Zamzow, and Kati Leigh Castro Reichten (Andrew). They all loved spending time with him and cherished the big family gatherings with the Micklers!

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Gladys, and brothers, Robert and Martin. The funeral mass will be on Friday, August 23, at 10 am at the historic St. Joseph’s Historic Catholic Church. A reception will be held in the Cody Center following the service. All are welcome…just the way Mike would want it.