Joseph Ronald Millsaps, 70, of Fort Lauderdale, FL passed away on May 30, 2010 doing what he loved to do: spending the weekend at the Indy 500 race with his friends, Bill and Peter Smyth. Joe was born in Knoxville, TN, raised in Clinton, TN, and he served his country in the US Army as a Commissioned Lieutenant in the Infantry. Following his discharge, he moved to Florida after a visit during spring break. In 1968 he received his Florida Real Estate License and began a career in real estate that continues today. In 1972 he received his Real Estate Broker’s License and founded the firm of Rauch, Weaver, Millsaps & Company with Wayne Rauch and George Weaver. The company continues today as NAI/Rauch, Weaver, Norfleet, Kurtz & Company, REALTORS.
Joe, better known as Mr. Fort Lauderdale, served on so many boards and helped out so many organizations that they are too numerous to name. A few highlights: Joe served as Chairman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Association of REALTORS, Chairman of Winterfest, Chairman of the Broward Economic Council, Chairman of the Carquest Bowl, Chairman of the Stranahan House and he has held numerous positions with the Florida & National Association of REALTORS.
A strong believer in community service, Joe has served in an impressive number of volunteer leadership positions, including current service as President and Chairman of the Board of Broward Navy Days, Inc., a Trustee for Nova Southeastern University, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Center of Psychological Studies at Nova, a Member of the Orange Bowl Committee, a Member of the Department of Defense Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve Committee and a Member of the Broward County Council-Navy League of the U. S.
Some of his awards included receiving The Distinguished Public Service Award from both the U. S. NAVY and the U. S. COAST GUARD. He was named the REALTOR of the YEAR by both the Greater Fort Lauderdale Association of REALTORS and the Florida Association of REALTORS and has been inducted into the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Jo Millsaps Wright, and his father, Ronald Millsaps. He is survived by his siblings, Kenneth (Carolyn), Harry (Mitzi), Frank (Pam), and Dana (Todd) Davis, and daughters, Cheryl (Rick) Azrin, Debra (Arturo) LaCruz, Mary (Andy) Kennedy and April (Charlie) Halleran and his beloved grandchildren, Jessica, Daniel and Jacob Azrin, Anna and Lydia LaCruz, Samuel Kennedy, and Patrick and Timothy Halleran.
A memorial service will be on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, 2401 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, 33309. Please come celebrate the never boring and over-the-top life of Joe.
In lieu of flowers, we know Joe would cherish a donation to Broward Navy Days, c/o Garry Murphy, 5300 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.
Joe, better known as Mr. Fort Lauderdale, served on so many boards and helped out so many organizations that they are too numerous to name. A few highlights: Joe served as Chairman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Association of REALTORS, Chairman of Winterfest, Chairman of the Broward Economic Council, Chairman of the Carquest Bowl, Chairman of the Stranahan House and he has held numerous positions with the Florida & National Association of REALTORS.
A strong believer in community service, Joe has served in an impressive number of volunteer leadership positions, including current service as President and Chairman of the Board of Broward Navy Days, Inc., a Trustee for Nova Southeastern University, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Center of Psychological Studies at Nova, a Member of the Orange Bowl Committee, a Member of the Department of Defense Employer Support for the Guard & Reserve Committee and a Member of the Broward County Council-Navy League of the U. S.
Some of his awards included receiving The Distinguished Public Service Award from both the U. S. NAVY and the U. S. COAST GUARD. He was named the REALTOR of the YEAR by both the Greater Fort Lauderdale Association of REALTORS and the Florida Association of REALTORS and has been inducted into the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Jo Millsaps Wright, and his father, Ronald Millsaps. He is survived by his siblings, Kenneth (Carolyn), Harry (Mitzi), Frank (Pam), and Dana (Todd) Davis, and daughters, Cheryl (Rick) Azrin, Debra (Arturo) LaCruz, Mary (Andy) Kennedy and April (Charlie) Halleran and his beloved grandchildren, Jessica, Daniel and Jacob Azrin, Anna and Lydia LaCruz, Samuel Kennedy, and Patrick and Timothy Halleran.
A memorial service will be on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, 2401 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, 33309. Please come celebrate the never boring and over-the-top life of Joe.
In lieu of flowers, we know Joe would cherish a donation to Broward Navy Days, c/o Garry Murphy, 5300 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.