Thomas “Tommy” Lester Hazouri Sr. was memorialized Sept. 16 with the sanctuary at Mandarin Presbyterian Church filled with family and friends and nearly 100 people viewing a livestream of the service.
Presided over by the Rev. Jeff Arnold, Hazouri was remembered by relatives and others who knew him for many decades during his career in public office.
Arnold said Mandarin Presbyterian is the “church home” of Hazouri and his wife, Carol.
“The outpouring of love to them has been more than they could possibly convey to you,” Arnold said as he began the service.
“Tommy loved Jacksonville,” said the Rev. Kevin Pound, former pastor at Mandarin Presbyterian who retired in 2019.
He commented on Hazouri’s long career in public office that included the state Legislature, mayor of Jacksonville, a member of the Duval County School Board and immediate past president of City Council when he died Sept. 11 at age 76.
“He wanted to serve and worked to make life fair for all in the community. He made peace with all of his critics. He loved and cared about everybody,” Pound said.
“Tommy was a former just about everything. He could have retired a long time ago, but there was no quit in Tommy Hazouri. He would speak if there was something to say,” Arnold said.
“He was a man of honesty and integrity who always did what he thought was right,” said Dana Hazouri Edmonds, Hazouri’s niece.
Edmonds said the family was “overwhelmed” by the support of the community after her uncle’s death.
“I knew my uncle Tommy was loved, but never comprehended how much he was loved,” Edmonds said.
Speaking for the family, Richard Hazouri said he would follow his late brother’s admiration for one-liners.
“Let it be written, let it be said, thank you and God bless.”
After the memorial service, Hazouri was buried at Oaklawn Cemetery.
With an executive order, Gov. Ron DeSantis directed that the U.S. and state flags at the Duval County Courthouse, City Hall and at the state Capitol in Tallahassee would be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown Sept. 16.
At the Sept. 14 Council meeting, Hazouri’s empty seat was marked with a large, white bow.
