William M. "Mac" Midyette, Iii

William (Mac) Midyette, III Lakeland: Mac Midyette of Lakeland, FL died Monday morning June 11, 2012 after a short bout with cancer. His death was quite peaceful, free from pain and now thanks to God he will not linger. In fact, we""re sure he and our mother are now together and getting things ready for the rest of us. Mac was born January 6, 1949 in Lakeland, but grew up in Plant City. Upon his graduation, from Plant City High he graduated in 1971 from the University of Florida with a degree in Political Science. As his life-long desire was to be a lawyer, he achieved an MBA from Georgia State University in Atlanta in 1973 and his Juris Doctor degree from the Cumberland School of Law (Samford University) in Birmingham, AL in 1976. After moving back to Lakeland in 1976 he served as the law clerk for Judge Frank T. Hobson in the Second District Court of Appeal. From 1977 to 2000 he entered into private practice with Christy F. Harris in Lakeland. In 2000, he joined the firm of Peterson & Myers in the Lakeland office until 2008 when he became a shareholder in the firm of Munson, Vining, & Midyette (Now Munson, Vining, Midyette & Geary). With the law as his passion, Mac put that to practice in service to the community. He was Past President of the Lakeland Bar Association (1985-1986) and served as a member of its Board of Governors since that time. From 1983-2003 he served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Rural Legal Services, and acted as its President from 1990-2000. He was also vitally involved in Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE), Keystone Challenge Fund, Historic Lakeland, and Leadership Lakeland Alumni Board of Directors. He was also the 2005 recipient of the Jerry DeVane Award. Mac was also instrumental in the formation of the Central Florida Mediation Group an endeavor in which he was particularly proud. Mac is survived by his wife, Paula, his father William (Bill) Midyette of Plant City, Laura Midyette his step-mother, brothers Mark Midyette of Homewood, AL and John Midyette of Baton Rouge, LA and sister Anne Allen of Tampa. He also has step-daughters Adrian Gadberry and Gabrielle Green both of Lakeland and step-grandchildren, Kaylee Woody, Dallas Gadberry, Rainah Gadberry, Taylor Freeman, Micah Green, and Tristen Green. Special thanks from our family to the many compassionate, extremely competent caregivers we encountered on this journey with Mac. We so very much appreciate the concern, prayers, and support from Mac""s law firm, particularly from Dawn Leslie without whom we couldn""t have kept things together. Also, a special thanks to Doris Doscher for her continued care and love for Paula for the last 17 years has made her a big part of our family. Worship to commemorate and memorialize Mac""s life will be held Friday, June 15, at the First Presbyterian Church on Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland, FL at 3:00 in the afternoon. We ask that if you would like, rather than send flowers, please consider a donation in Mac""s name to one of the following organizations that were special to him: VISTE, Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. and/or Good Shepherd Hospice. Service: 06/15/2012 First Presbyterian Church 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. Lakeland, FL 33801