James Joseph Blosser

James J. Blosser, our beloved husband, dad and grandfather, completed his extraordinary journey in this world on August 11, 2023, surrounded by his adoring family and with our eternal love and infinite gratitude for the incalculable blessing of his life.

Jim was a man of many roles: Chairman of the Board, Founding Director, President, Managing Partner, Captain and Commodore to name a few. Yet for Jim, the roles that mattered most were husband and father, and most especially “Pops” as he was lovingly known to his grandchildren. As the leader of our family, his greatest legacy will be his unending devotion, care and love for us.

The example Jim set for us - personally and professionally - is eternally etched in our hearts. Jim was a man with a purpose, and a man of great impact. Most importantly, Jim’s purpose and impact were realized by always leading with humility, kindness, integrity, grace and dignity.

Indiana: Where It All Started

Jim was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on March 27, 1938, to Walter and Sara Blosser. In 1945, the family moved to Lafayette, Indiana. He attended grade school at St. Mary’s Cathedral Grade School and then attended Jefferson High School in Lafayette.

Upon high school graduation in 1956, Jim wasn’t content to remain in Lafayette. He was eager to break the mold and courageously chose a path less followed: he became the only person in his grade school class to leave Lafayette. Jim ventured well beyond Indiana and decided to attend college at the University of Miami.

“Myama:” A New Place to Call Home

At UM, Jim’s fellow Canes would quickly learn that this young man from a small town in Indiana wasn’t there to simply pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

First and foremost, Jim participated in the U.S. Army’s ROTC program. While that commitment alone would be plenty for most college students, true to form, Jim multiplied his commitments. He became one of the top leaders at ‘The U’ in many distinguished ways including being elected as President of the Student Body, President of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Chairman of the Honor Council, and recognized in Who’s Who in American Universities. Jim was selected as a Member of the Iron Arrow Honor Society which is the highest honor bestowed by the university.

After graduating from UM and ROTC, from 1961-1962, Jim served our nation on active duty in the United States Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He continued his service in the Army Reserves for seven years and was promoted to Captain. Following his active-duty military service, he returned to the University of Miami to attend law school.

Upon law school graduation in 1965, Jim joined the law firm English, McCaughan & O’Bryan in Fort Lauderdale. Jim stayed with the firm for twenty-two years and served as Managing Partner of the firm for twelve years before moving to Ruden, Barnett, McClosky, Schuster, Smith & Russell in 1987.

Bringing the Marlins and Panthers to South Florida

When Jim moved to Miami in 1956, there were no professional sports teams in South Florida. From 1966-1988, South Florida had only one professional sports team, the Miami Dolphins. During the 1990’s, Jim would play a leading role in doubling the number of professional sports teams in South Florida.

Jim initially met legendary entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga in the mid-1980’s. In 1988, they developed a close alliance while working together in support of George H.W. Bush’s successful presidential campaign. In 1990, Jim was enlisted to provide legal counsel to Huizenga when Huizenga made an initial investment in the Miami Dolphins.

In 1991, Jim left Ruden Barnett and began to work full time with Huizenga in two roles: General Counsel to Huizenga Holdings and Assistant to the CEO and Chairman of Board at Blockbuster Entertainment. Jim had a legal and political prowess that created a special alchemy when combined with Huizenga’s unparalleled business acumen and bold entrepreneurial spirit. Huizenga, with Jim’s trusted assistance, changed the face of professional sports in South Florida forever, including Huizenga’s purchase of the Miami Dolphins and Joe Robbie Stadium from Joe Robbie’s heirs; the successful effort to win Major League Baseball’s expansion competition, creating the Florida Marlins, who ultimately brought two World Series Championships to South Florida; and the successful effort to win the National Hockey League’s expansion competition, creating the Florida Panthers, who ultimately brought two Stanley Cup championship appearances to South Florida.

In 1994, Jim was named President of Blockbuster Park, a 1,600-acre proposed development that included a Major League baseball park, NHL arena, amusement and entertainment venues, retail and lodging. After successfully obtaining legislative approval in Tallahassee for the creation of a special sports and entertainment governing district as well as the necessary local governmental approvals, the project was abandoned when Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation was acquired by Viacom.

In 1999, Jim joined and became a partner in the lobbying firm Poole, McKinley and Blosser, and served there for five years, before launching a law and lobbying partnership, Blosser & Sayfie, with Justin Sayfie in 2004. Jim and Justin worked together in their law practice until Jim retired in 2015.

Service to His Community

Jim enjoyed a level of professional success that would have been unthinkable to him as a high school student in Lafayette. One of the many things that made Jim a courageous leader was that he naturally welcomed opportunities to accept responsibility and initiate action on behalf of his community.

Jim helped found and was deeply involved with many civic organizations and charitable causes that have had a positive impact on our community:

●           Community Foundation of Broward: Founding Director and the organization’s First President

●           The Broward Workshop: An Organizer and Founding Director

●           Homeless Assistance Center of Broward County (Broward Partnership): Founding Director and Chairman of it $6 million capital campaign

●           Performing Arts Center Foundation of Broward County: Founding Trustee.

●           United Way of Broward County: President, Board member and Campaign Chairman

●           WPBT Public Television: Board member and Vice Chairman

●           Pine Crest Preparatory School: Chairman of the Board and Board member

●           Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce: President and Board Member

●           Stranahan House Museum: First President and Chairman of Restoration Fundraising

●           Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club: Commodore

●           University of Miami: National Alumni Board

The positive impact of Jim’s leadership in these many civic organizations and the lives of the people they serve is truly his legacy.

Political activism

Jim’s passion for service also extended to the political arena. Although he never once ran for office himself, anyone who did run had a much better chance of winning with Jim’s support. For decades, Jim took an active role in several campaigns, helping to elect presidents and governors along the way. 

He was especially supportive of the Bush family, volunteering on the campaigns of both President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush, as well as Jeb Bush’s gubernatorial campaigns and presidential campaign. As Chairman of George H.W. Bush’s Broward County campaign in 1988, Jim accomplished a feat that no other Republican presidential, gubernatorial or other statewide candidate has accomplished since: winning Broward County. For President George W. Bush, Jim served as the Broward Finance Chairman in 2000 and 2004. For Governor Jeb Bush, Jim was the campaign’s Broward Chairman in 1998, a member of the Finance Committee in 1998 and 2002, and a member of the Finance Committee for Bush’s presidential campaign in 2016. Jim also served as a Delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1988 and 2000.

In recognition of his exceptional efforts over many years to help elect Republican candidates, Jim was awarded the Alec P. Courtelis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 by the Republican Party of Florida.

What Jim Adored

Publicly, Jim was known as a civic leader, a mentor, and respected professional with the top firms and the top entrepreneur in the community. Privately, Jim was known for his “love of a good time.” He enjoyed red Jeeps, cooking large breakfasts (French toast was among his specialties), jazz music, managing the group family text, sharing a Dewer’s scotch with friends, the cartoon section of the newspaper, dancing, summers in Vermont, oysters at Shuck & Dive, sunrise walks, traveling and cruising, and cheering on the Canes among others.

Beyond those simple pleasures of life, what Jim adored most of all were his wife Nancy, and his children Bentley (Alice) Blosser of West Glacier, MT, Gretchen (Kevin) Parker of Wilmington, NC, Whitney (Craig) Delanoy of Boca Raton, FL, Jamie (Neal) Morris of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Bailey Blosser (Matt Spadi of Lake Tahoe, CA), and his grandchildren Graham and Mason Parker, Conner and Chase Delanoy, and Callum Morris. He shared nearly 44 years of marriage with his wife, Nancy, and together they shared the joy of celebrating all five of his children marry, build meaningful careers, and nurture their own families.

Jim’s life will always be an inspiration. He was exceptional in every way, and his family will always love him and be grateful to him for the example he set: how he loved and served others.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 3pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Community Foundation of Broward. To make a memorial gift in Jim’s honor, please go online to www.cfbroward.link/Blosser-Memorial.