County Mourns Former County Commissioner J. Lee Vause
With sadness, the Leon County family recognizes the passing of long-serving former County Commissioner J. Lee Vause, who died in the afternoon on Monday, May 12, 2025, at age 87.
Serving 20 years as a County Commissioner, Vause leaves behind a legacy of public service leadership. Vause was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 1972 and went on to serve two decades, first as District 5 Commissioner and then as At-Large Commissioner. During his tenure, he was elected Chairman of the Board six times. Vause was a strong advocate for increasing the number of parks and recreation areas for citizens to enjoy and championed generational projects, including the Augusts D. Aikens, Jr. County Courthouse, the detention facility, and the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Commissioner Vause’s family, friends, and the countless residents whose lives he touched during his long career in public service," said Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch. “His decades of commitment to our community, from shaping vital infrastructure to championing our natural spaces, leave an enduring legacy on Leon County. We mourn his passing and extend our heartfelt condolences.”
In recognition of his service and commitment to the County, the 26-acre J. Lee Vause Park on the banks of Lake Jackson was dedicated in his honor in 2001.
“Commissioner Vause set the highest standard for public servants everywhere,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “During his time as County Commissioner, Vause will be remembered for his trademark collegiality, which was key in building strong relationships both on and off the dais. The trust that people placed in him made Vause an effective leader at every level. Respected by his fellow Commissioners and revered by County staff, his loss will be felt by everyone who knew him, and our hearts are with his loved ones during this difficult time."
The Vause family invites the community to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 12 to 3 p.m., at J. Lee Vause Park, 6024 Old Bainbridge Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32303. Lunch will be provided at 12:30 p.m. and all are welcome to attend.
The Vause family has shared the following details about J. Lee Vause’s life and service to the community. Additionally, the family wanted to share that J. Lee Vause was always guided by his faith and love of family.
NAME: J. Lee Vause
DATE OF BIRTH: April 2, 1938
PLACE OF BIRTH: Tallahassee, Florida
FAMILY:
- Wife: Sharon
- Children: Lee, Jr., Todd, and Christina
- Grandchildren: 9
- Great-grandchildren: 5
EDUCATION:
- Public schools in Wakulla and Leon counties
- Attended Florida State University
PRIVATE BUSINESS:
- Partner, Butler-Vause, Inc. Insurance and Real Estate (1963 to present)
- First Bank of Tallahassee (Founding Chairman and Director)
- Vause Consulting
ELECTED OFFICE:
- Leon County Board of County Commissioners
- Elected – 1972
- Re-elected – 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988 (Retired 1992)
- Elected Chairman – 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1983, and 1988
STATE BOARDS:
- Florida Transportation Commission
- Appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles in 1994 and reappointed in 1998
- Florida Medical Examiners Commission
- Appointed by Governor Bob Martinez in 1981 and reappointed by Governor Bob Graham in 1985
- Florida Bicentennial Commission
- Appointed by Governor Reubin Askew in 1975
STATEWIDE GROUPS:
- Florida Association of Counties (President – Two terms)
- Florida Regional Planning Councils Association (President – Three terms)
- Florida Association of Realtors (Vice President)
- Floridians for Better Transportation (Current Chairman)
LOCAL BOARDS:
- Civic Center Authority (14 years – Two years as Chairman)
- Research and Development Authority (Nine years – two as Chairman)
- Apalachee Regional Planning Council (Chairman – Five terms)
- Metropolitan Planning Organization (Chairman)
- Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority
- Mental Health District Board of Directors
- Leon County Charter Review Commission (Chairman)
- Leon County Mobile Home Advisory Committee (Chairman)
CIVIC & BUSINESS AFFILIATIONS (past and present):
- North Florida Fair Association (30 years – Six terms as President)
- Tallahassee Association of Realtors (President)
- Tallahassee Association of Insurance Agents (Director)
- Myers Park Little League Baseball (President five years)
- Leon County Cattlemen’s Association
- Leon County Farm Bureau
- Voluntary Action Center (Director)
- Tallahassee Jaycees (Director)
- United Way of Tallahassee (Industrial Division Chairman)
- March of Dimes (State Division Chairman)
- Tallahassee Chapter of the American Red Cross (Director)
- Wakulla County Expo (Director)
For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 or CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
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Former Leon County Commissioner J. Lee Vause, who served from 1972-1992, passed away in the afternoon on Monday, May 12, 2025, at age 87.
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