We lose another great citizen leader. Mr. DeFoor most recently led the North Florida Land Trust but lived a very colorful life, ranging from the sheriff of Key West/Monroe County to candidate for Lt. Governor to Episcopal priest. A man of many talents and interests.
QuoteJacksonville environmental leader Allison DeFoor dies
Mayor Donna Deegan and other leaders laud his "extraordinary life of service."
The Rev. Allison DeFoor, whose decades of leadership in environmental issues included serving as president and CEO of the North Florida Land Trust, has died.
He was 72. His death prompted tributes from Mayor Donna Deegan and other Northeast Florida leaders.
"Jacksonville has lost a remarkable public servant and a true son of Florida," Deegan said in an emailed statement. "Allison DeFoor shined in roles ranging from prosecutor to priest to a leader in conservation. Throughout his remarkable life he was always guided by a deep love for this state and its people."
Survivors include DeFoor's spouse, Randy, a former Jacksonville City Council member.
DeFoor, who was an Episcopal priest, had a diverse career that included serving as sheriff of Monroe County and as a prosecutor, public defender, judge and law professor.
"Sheriff DeFoor was an extraordinary public servant who committed his life to others," Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a release. "He is remembered for his outstanding leadership at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office as well as his devotion to the less fortunate."
As reported by Florida Politics, DeFoor helped broker agreements involving corporations, landowners, government agencies and environmental groups that protected thousands of acres of Florida land.
The North Florida Land Trust was founded in 1999 to continue that mission. The organization issued a statement Oct. 28 announcing DeFoor's death, saying it was "deeply grateful for his leadership and dedication to protecting the places that make Florida special."
"A seventh-generation Floridian, Allison devoted his life to serving others and protecting the Florida he loved. His work in conservation, public service, and ministry reflected his belief that we each have a responsibility to care for the places and people around us," the statement read.
"His familiar words, 'It is now or never,' expressed both his concern for Florida's disappearing natural lands and his belief that, together, we could do something about it."
Others expressing sorrow over DeFoor's death included the Jacksonville Civic Council through its CEO, Dennis Whittle.
"Allison DeFoor lived an extraordinary life of service, leaving a lasting mark on Jacksonville and communities throughout Florida," the statement read.
"From public office and the ministry to his tireless work in environmental conservation, Allison brought relentless dedication, wisdom, and conviction to everything he did. He believed deeply in the power of public service and in leaving his community better than he found it. We are grateful for his friendship, his leadership, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind."
DeFoor's death came on the heels of the recent deaths of two other notable Jacksonville residents.
Chris Sorensen, the cofounder of Firehouse Subs, died Oct. 11.
Harry Shorstein, the state attorney in the 4th Judicial Circuit from 2001 to 2008, died Oct. 23.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/oct/28/jacksonville-environmental-leader-allison-defoor-dies/