Remembering George Touart

January 25, 2014

Flags across Escambia County are at half staff on this Saturday as the county’s residents and leaders mark the death of Escambia County Interim Administrator George Touart. He passed away early Friday morning with his family at his side. Touart had been on sick leave since December 26 due to complications from his battle with cancer. He was 65.

He recently announced his retirement, which was to have been effective February 3.

“I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Escambia County,”  said Touart in his retirement letter. He was named interim administrator December 1, 2012.

In the retirement letter, Tourt said he was proud of accomplishments that included the transition of the Escambia County Jail and the library system, the four-cent gas tax for mass transit and a three percent across the board employee pay raise.

Previously, Touart served as county administrator for almost six years before he retired he 2007.

Born and raised in Pensacola, Touart graduated from Pensacola High School in 1966 and was very proud to call Escambia County home.

A longtime businessman with more than 25 years experience in management, Touart owned multiple successful companies and served in numerous leadership roles in local government; including Pascagoula city councilman, public information officer for the Mississippi State High Department and county administrator of Madison County, Mississippi.

Touart belonged to the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church and was a member of many community and civic organizations throughout the years, including Five Flags Rotary, Irish Politician’s Club, Moss Point Young Men’s Business Club, the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Escambia County and Baptist Hospital Board of Directors.

Touart is survived by his parents Clyde and Mary Touart, wife Barbara, sons Mathew and Jacob Touart and daughters Amber Howard and Christy McDonald, as well as numerous grandchildren.

Flags at county facilities are being flown at half-staff in memory of Mr. Touart.

The BOCC is currently in the process of hiring a new  permanent administrator from a short list of five candidates that did not include Touart. Although he applied for the job, the board had voted to exclude him from the final selection process.

Pictured top: The American flag flies at half staff Friday at the Molino offices of the Escambia County tax collector and property appraiser. Northescambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Remembering George Touart”

  1. Everett on January 27th, 2014 7:30 pm

    The official flag code

    :The Flag Code sets out detailed instructions on flying the flag at half-staff on Memorial Day and as a mark of respect to the memory of certain recently deceased public officials.33 This section embodies the substance of Presidential Proclamation No. 3044,34 entitled “Display of Flag at Half-Staff Upon Death of Certain Officials and Former Officials.” The section provides that the President shall order the flag flown at half-staff for stipulated periods “upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a state, territory, or possession.” After the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag may be flown at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or in accordance with recognized custom not inconsistent with law. In addition, the Governor of a state, territory, or possession, or the Mayor

  2. John Paige on January 26th, 2014 12:36 pm

    No Marty, flags are only flown at half-staff under the order of the President of the United States or the Governor. Until that order is made, it is improper to lower the American Flag. There are exceptions but the death of a local politican is NOT one of the expections.

  3. molino jim on January 25th, 2014 7:07 pm

    @ mike- there are exceptions, if the flag is spot lighted it can be flown 24 hours.

  4. Mike O. on January 25th, 2014 10:10 am

    @ Marty:

    Really? You are posting your comment at 0315… Give them a chance. Technically, flags are only flown from sunrise to sunset. I am sure the flags will be flown at half mast once the sun rises.

  5. bartender on January 25th, 2014 8:39 am

    may he rest in peace. george will always be remembered for caring about escambia county. my prayers go out to his family. he done the best he could with what he had to work with in the county.

  6. Marty on January 25th, 2014 3:14 am

    Why aren’t the flags being flown at half staff at any Sheriffs office buildings, aren’t those county buildings as well?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News