Joerg F. Jaeger

Joerg Friedrich Krafft Jaeger was born in Stuttgart, Germany to Krafft Werner Jaeger and Ursula Renate Hausermann on November 23, 1947. During the time he lived in post war Germany, he contracted a severe case of polio and was able to overcome it. This strength showed throughout his entire life. At the age of 8 Joerg moved to Jacksonville, Florida with his mother and new stepfather, Burt Pringle where he excelled academically and attained an undergraduate degree in history at the University of Florida (Go Gators). After a college friend invited him to take the LSAT and he excelled without any preparation, he realized his calling in life was to become a lawyer. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and continued to enjoy and support Gator football.

After graduating from UF with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1974, Joerg served as a prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office starting in Jacksonville, then Melbourne and ultimately Orlando where he lived most of his life. During his early career at the State Attorney’s Office, Joerg was mentored by many lawyers, most notably Robert Eagan, who was the state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit for twenty years. Joerg also mentored many young lawyers including his future law partner and friend Buck Blankner. His career progressed and he was named Chief of the Misdemeanor Division (1975-1976) and Chief of County Courts, Chief of Traffic Court, and Chief of Juvenile Division (1976-1981). He was the first prosecutor to try a Racketeering/RICO case in Seminole County and was assigned to special appointments regarding murder cases in counties where there was a conflict with the State Attorney’s Office. He was appointed to represent the State Attorney’s Office at the National Juvenile Justice Conference in Washington, D.C. which resulted in statutory reform of juvenile law in the State of Florida.

In 1981 the lure of private practice beckoned and Joerg and Larry Katz formed the criminal defense firm of Katz & Jaeger. Buck Blankner joined the firm in 1986. Today the firm is known as Jaeger, Ali & Blankner and is renowned for their expertise in criminal defense. Joerg was a leader in the defense of those accused of DUI and was at the forefront of educating other lawyers in the field of suppressing Intoxilyzer test results. Those who knew Joerg described him as a very formidable opponent who loved a good sparring in court. When opposing counsel would stand up to him, take him on and win, Joerg would grin and sometimes chuckle. He was an old school attorney with new school moves and known for his kindness to charitable causes. Many remember his flamboyant personality as evidenced by his signature animal skin boots, flashy watches, crisp white shirts with French cuffs and expensive automobiles. While this was one persona, those who were closest to him, knew him as a dedicated husband, loving father, grandfather and friend.

Joerg met the love of his life, Karen Moore in 1981 when he was developing the Park West Condominium complex and Karen was working as the property manager. They married in 1983 and he instantly became a father to Shannon and Todd and then a year later his son Hans was born. His youngest son Friedrich was born 16 months later. His children were his pride and joy. The family loves animals and Joerg could be found doting most recently on his beloved Himalayan and Persian cats Harley, Bentley, Springer and Snow. Joerg would never say it in front of the other cats but Harley was his favorite as evidenced by his picture that hung over the reception desk at his law office. He also loved his Dobermans, German Shepherds, snakes, lizards and most recently his Percheron and Belgian horses that were formerly known for pulling the main street trolley at Disney World.

His love of history combined with his business acumen led him to start a non-profit organization that funded civil war re-enactments that was, of course, tax deductible. He was the captain of the second US Artillery Battery B known for running drills by the numbers and cooking for his unit. He loved to buy crazy hats at Dirty Billy’s in Sutler’s Row. This was a family activity for several years as the boys were growing up. Many recall Joerg and his two sons attending re-enactments around the Southeast with the family horses in tow who were responsible for pulling the artillery cannons.

Joerg travelled the globe and was a world renowned collector of German and military artifacts. He and his family spent many summer vacations in St. John USVI and made numerous trips to visit relatives in Germany and Austria. Joerg’s life long desire to visit the Eastern Block countries was fulfilled last year with a trip to Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Czech Republic and Hungary. He was looking forward to retiring to spend more time with his family, fly fishing and traveling.

He is survived by his wife Karen, stepfather, Burt E. Pringle, Sr., brother Burt E. Pringle, Jr., stepdaughter Shannon Crim-Mosey, sons Hans Jaeger and Friedrich Jaeger, stepson Todd Bolling, and five grandchildren. In honor of Joerg’s mother who passed away on June 5, 2016 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, 1506 Lake Highland Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803.

A celebration of Joerg’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10:00am at the First Congregational Church of Winter Park, 225 S. Interlachen Ave., Winter Park, Florida, 32789. A reception will be held at another location immediately following the service. Details about the reception will be provided at the service. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home Ivanhoe Chapel. 407-898-8111. Condolences may be offered at www.baldwinfairchildivanhoe.com