Memories recalled in laughter and tears

Sadness is tempered with fond recollections as nearly 800 gather to remember former state official Doug Jamerson.

[Times photo: Jamie Francis] Attendants roll the casket of Doug Jamerson out of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in St. Petersburg on Friday after a two-hour funeral Mass. About 800 people packed the church to pay their respects to the longtime public servant.

By J. NEALY-BROWN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 28, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Before they were political opponents in the September primary election, Doug Jamerson was a mentor to state Sen. Les Miller. And even on what would be Jamerson's last election night, Jamerson conceded and told Miller, "Now it's time to get busy."

Jamerson found a campaign headquarters in St. Petersburg for Miller and even got him a fax machine.

"Doug was not a politician," Miller said at Jamerson's funeral Mass on Friday. "Doug was a public servant."

As if he wanted to thank Jamerson one last time, Miller patted Jamerson's coffin, took his seat and wiped his eyes. Then he let out an exhale of exhaustion.

Jamerson -- a son of St. Petersburg, a "man for all seasons," whom some knew as an uncle, a mentor and a friend to the common man -- died April 21 in Tallahassee after a secret battle with cancer. He was 53.

Nearly 800 people, including lawmakers and other high-ranking public officials, packed Blessed Trinity Catholic Church to pay their respects to Jamerson, a former state labor secretary, education commissioner and state representative who opened his own consulting and lobbying firm.

Among those in the audience were former St. Petersburg Mayor David Fischer, current St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Bayfront Medical Center President and CEO Sue Brody, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, and U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek, D-Miami, and state Sens. Kendrick Meek, Al Lawson and Daryl Jones.

Jamerson's son, Cedric, was the last of a dozen tributary speakers during the two-hour service, which was often filled with roaring laughter from colleagues' stories about Jamerson.

In 10th grade, Cedric remembered, he ran to the sidelines during a ballgame to ask his father whether he'd just seen the play he made. Jamerson blew that off and wanted to know whether he had done his book report. The audience laughed.

"He was more of a teacher or guider," Cedric Jamerson said. "I just want to get it off my chest. I loved my daddy very much."

Jamerson was revered as a man who made politics noble. "Doug was an important man. He did important things. He spoke with an important voice. He stood and fought for important causes," said the Rev. Joseph Waters, who gave the homily. Looking at the coffin draped with a blue and cream cloth, Waters said it didn't seem like "we should be here today." But Jamerson's "goodness and his faith give us reason to hope."

He also was known for bridging racial barriers and finding something in common with almost everyone.

Jade Moore, executive director of the Pinellas County Teachers Association, said he was asked whether he was Jamerson's best friend. No, he said.

Jamerson's best white friend? The audience burst into laughter. "Heavens no. Doug didn't know white and black."

Moore said he was Jamerson's closest friend who wore the same size suit: 48 long. The audience roared.

"Instead I want to be remembered as his buddy," said Moore, who told three funny stories about Jamerson. If he had known that Jamerson was dying, Moore said it would have been fine anyway. There are too many lobbyists down here, and "God needs a buddy."

The audience's laughter was a reflection of part of Jamerson's life.

Nelson said that Jamerson was loving yet firm, gentle and strong, compassionate and passionate.

"Doug was God's politician," he said.

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