Lakeland businessman and philanthropist Jack Harrell Jr. dies at 68

LAKELAND — Jack Randolph Harrell Jr., a community philanthropist widely known for his humble generosity, died Saturday at age 68 of brain cancer.

Harrell, CEO and chairman of Harrell's LLC, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, roughly six months ago.

"I want to recognize the loss of a local hero in Jack Harrell, who passed away over the weekend, and want to take a moment to honor his life and legacy, his character and generosity," Commissioner Stephanie Madden said at Monday's City Commission meeting. "As a loving father and husband and community champion of so many worthy causes, he leaves an indelible imprint on all of our hearts as well as our city."

Harrell is survived by his wife, Tina, son Jack Harrell III and son Will Harrell and his wife, Julia. Harrell has three grandsons, Holton, Wells and John Owen Harrell.

Harrell's, a Lakeland-based producer and distributor of fertilizer and other agricultural chemicals, announced the passing of its leader on its website Saturday.

"My family is saddened by the loss of my father, but we rejoice that he has gone home to Glory and is not in any more pain and suffering any longer. His body had been restored and he is at peace," reads a statement from Jack Harrell III. "My father was a great man who took care of so many people. Everyone else was always his main concern, rather than himself. We will all miss him but are so happy that he is rejoicing in Heaven.”

Leadership at Harrell's

A Lakeland native, Harrell Jr. graduated from Georgia Southern College and returned to the city to join his father's business in 1978 — which at the time consisted of Harrell's Feed Store in downtown Lakeland and several Harrell's Garden Centers.

Harrell worked alongside his father to transform the local family-owned business into a worldwide leader in agronomic solutions. It started with the construction of the company's first manufacturing plant off New Tampa Highway in the mid-1980s, which still serves as its corporate headquarters.

“It was a fun time working with him and growing this company together," Harrell told The Ledger in a 2016 interview .

Harrell officially took over the company's reins in 2000, though he had helped run Harrell's alongside his father for about a decade prior. It is still listed among the city's top 30 employers, with Harrell's Inc. having about 335 employees, according to Lakeland Economic Development Council's list.

"There's a lot in this community that might have the name Harrell because of their philanthropy and their commitment to Lakeland and the greater area," Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley said. "To highlight him as a very humble servant, he quietly did a lot of things we'll never know about."

Lakeland philanthropist helped the needy

Beyond business, Harrell is remembered by many Lakelanders as more than a businessman, but for his generous spirit as a philanthropist and mentor across the community.

Tim Mitchell, executive director of Parker Street Ministries, said Harrell has been a financial supporter of the faith-based nonprofit that runs several assistance programs for the residents of the economically depressed neighborhood north and east of the church. More importantly, Mitchell said Harrell became a true friend, mentor and father-like figure.

"We would meet once a week for breakfast and walk through my crazy ideas," Mitchell said. "He was that awesome sounding board. You could say all kinds of bad ideas and you wouldn’t be in trouble."

Mitchell said Harrell was known for being generous not just with his money, but even more so with his personal time, always accessible to friends and family.

"He's a dear, dear friend I'm going to miss forever," Mitchell said. "I think living in Lakeland since 1997, I've seen his generosity change Lakeland for the better."

Helping provide advance health care in Lakeland

Harrell joined Lakeland Regional Health System's board of directors in 2006. He served as board chairman from 2013 to 2015.

Harrell and his wife, Tina, gave a "significant" donation to Lakeland Regional in 2018, which made possible the creation of the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine.

In 2022, the couple were named Lakeland Regional Health's Philanthropists of the Year. They donated toward the construction of the roughly 80,000-square-foot Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness .

“Our family is passionate about helping those in our community have access to all areas of the highest quality healthcare,” Harrell said in the release at the time.

Danielle Drummond, LRH's president and CEO, honored Harrell for his generous contributions and guidance on the board.

"As we honor his memory, we extend our deepest sympathies to Jack's family and loved ones," she said in a written statement. "Please join us in celebrating his remarkable contributions and the compassionate spirit he embodied. We will forever be grateful for the impact he has had on our organization and the Lakeland community."

The family has made their gratitude known to Dr. Francisco Chebly, of Lakeland Regional Health, his personal physician and friend, who helped coordinate Harrell's medical care.

Building up Bonnet Springs Park

Harrell and his wife were among the many philanthropists who came together to donate toward the creation of Bonnet Springs Park.

In July 2019, the couple made a $1.3 million donation to the park's capital campaign . The gift was used to pay for construction of a 6-acre botanical garden and greenhouse that places a special emphasis on engaging all five senses. It has been named The Harrell Family Botanical Garden and The Harrell Family Greenhouse.

"Jack's dedication to Bonnet Springs Park is truly remarkable. A strong belief in the mission led him and Tina to be among the founding donors and they have been part of our journey since the beginning. He was instrumental in our capital campaign, and his leadership as chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee has been invaluable," read a Facebook Post from Bonnet Springs Park honoring Harrell's passing.

Harrell pledged the company would provide a 25-year supply of fertilizer and plant nutritional products to help take care of the 180-acre public park.

Churchgoing man of God

Harrell was an avid member of his church in Lakeland. He and his wife, along with their children, once attended Trinity Presbyterian Church, Lead Pastor Tim Rice said. As the church, started in 1997, grew and "planted" into sister congregations, the couple started attending Christ Community Presbyterian.

"For their time and involvement, the Harrells are remarkably generous," Rice said. "Jack Harrell [Jr.] was stunningly generous, very humble and a very, very true friend."

The couple has been known to provide support both financially and through their attendance many of Trinity Presbyterian's sister churches in Lakeland, Winter Haven and Mulberry.

Remembering Harrell

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. July 20 at Victory Church, 1401 Griffin Road in Lakeland, led by the Rev. Lyle Caswell, of Christ Community Presbyterian Church. The family has asked memorials be provided to Parker Street Ministries , Bonnet Springs Park or Lakeland Regional Health in his name.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl.

Correction

An earlier version of this story included an inaccurate date for a celebration of life. The service is July 20.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland businessman and philanthropist Jack Harrell Jr. dies at 68