Obituary: Jack Quesinberry

Jack L. Quesinberry, 86, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. He served 16-and-a-half years as mayor of Winter Garden (1991-2008), the longest-serving mayor in the city's history.

Jack was born Feb. 28, 1931, in Muncie, Indiana, to Allen and Jenevieve (Runyon) Quesinberry. He was a football and basketball star at Muncie Central High School, where he was voted Most Likely to Succeed in 1949, his graduating year.

After high school, he worked with his father in construction for a few years before moving to Orlando when he was in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1965, he married Gloria, whom he met in the fourth grade. They lived in Windermere for several years before moving to Winter Garden in 1969.

For 45 years, Jack built homes and commercial properties all over West Orange County through his company, Quesinberry Construction.

Jack was a longtime member and faithful servant at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. He was past chairman of the Administrative Board and Board of Trustees and was head usher and communion steward.

He served as Worshipful Master of the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge #165 in 1970. He was a member of the Orlando Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and built the Scottish Rite Temple in Winter Park. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the 16th Masonic District in 1972.

He was coroneted a 33rd-degree Scottish Rite Mason in 1984.

He was a past member of the Winter Garden Rotary Club and was twice named a Paul Harris Fellow.

Jack began his service with the city of Winter Garden in 1981 when he was appointed to the Planning & Zoning Board. He served for 10 years before making the decision to run for mayor of Winter Garden.

When Jack was elected to the mayor's seat, the city had yet to experience its rebirth. He and his commission were responsible for revitalizing downtown Winter Garden.

Jack's leadership would guide the city for 16-and-a-half years — through many changes that easily could have stripped Winter Garden of its identity.

Due to his love of and dedication to Winter Garden, the downtown area is now the cultural heart of West Orange County, and Jack will be remembered as the figure who brought city commissioners, city staff and organizations together to carry Winter Garden into the 21st century as a small city of the future with a firm grip on its heritage.

Survivors: wife of 52 years, Gloria; children, Kathy (and Tim) Taylor, Rusty (and Sharon) Jenkins,

Col. (Ret.) USAF Rory (and Adria) Quesinberry, Amy Quesinberry, Jeni (and Steve) McNeill; grandchildren, Megan Cristello, Kelly (and Anthony) Woods, Sara (and Chris) Strange, Morgan Quesinberry, Allison Couch, Adam Couch, Harrison McNeill, Jackson McNeill, Andrew McNeill, Benjamin McNeill; great-grandchildren, Raygan Cristello, Sayler Cristello, Adler Cristello, Piper Cristello, Jaden Woods and Leilani Woods.

The visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, 125 N. Lakeview Ave. The funeral service is at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at the church. Burial will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Gotha. Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Stained-Glass Window Fund at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden, 125 N. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden, FL 34787; or the West Orange Christian Service Center, 300 W. Franklin St., Ocoee, FL 34761.