Louis G. Betz Jr.

Louis G. Betz Jr., 61, born on March 29, 1963 in his beloved Tampa, Florida passed away bravely on January 20, 2025. Louis was the ultimate devoted family man and humble community leader. He let everyone know “I’m the happiest man you will ever meet“.

Louis grew up in Seminole Heights in Tampa and attended Edison Elementary, Middleton Junior High and then proudly, Hillsborough High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Tampa and then a Master of Public Administration from USF, both while working full time.

What he was most proud of was his family. He was a loving, dedicated family man through and through. He met his wife Jill Ippolito in 1977 as teenagers. In 1986 they were married at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Temple Terrace.

And then the lights of his world were born, Victoria in 1992 and Louis III in 1994. Louis was the best dad any child could ever dream. He loved making up games with them, making them laugh until they were falling down, singing and playing the guitar for them, bedtime stories, pool time, board games, silly pranks, traveling, deep conversations and late night advice sessions. Nightly dinners around the kitchen table together were sacred times, as well as Sundays and Wednesdays spent at church.

In 1993 he founded Louis Betz and Associates and worked proudly and tirelessly for his clients. He was always known for his integrity, perpetual optimism, and pure relentlessness. In 2010 Travis Mitchell joined LBA and will continue their great work.

Louis was proud to be the founder of the annual Hillsborough Day in Tallahassee. It was important to him to have the area showcased during the state’s legislative session. Louis also loved a good Tampa parade. He annually hosted gatherings on the Italian Club balcony during some of Tampa’s biggest parades.

Louis was Cubmaster for his son’s Boy Scout pack for several years, member of the Italian Club, Joshua House Board of Directors (1996 to 2006), University of Tampa Board of counselors 1995 to 2002, THAN - Tampa Homeowners Association of Neighborhoods (1988 to 1996), Wellswood Civic Association (1988 to 1995). From 1999-2001 he brought Duck Tours of Tampa Bay to the area. The amphibious vehicles provided fun and historic tours in Tampa and St. Pete. He has also worked to make our community of Carrollwood Village a better place for all of us, including his grandchildren.

He was so proud to see his family grow. In 2014, he proudly walked his daughter Victoria down the aisle to marry Matt Yost, who became a second son to him. And then in 2021 Louis became a grandfather to Matthew Yost Jr, his little spitting image. They really are no words to describe how much Louis loved being a grandfather. They put together hot wheel tracks to race cars, built little cars, and loved watching helper car videos together. And Matthew loved Grandpa’s sports cars. And then in 2024 Elizabeth Mia Yost was born, surprising us with blue eyes, just like her Grandpa.

Eleven years ago we got the devastating news of a rare lung disease, finding out that he would need a transplant within five years. It was a grueling time but in 2018 he received the gift of life and was transplanted with new lungs. During his hospital stay he decided that the organ transplant procurement system needed to be tweaked to offer more organs to more people waiting. More Transplants More Life (MTML) was born.

Louis is survived by his wife of 38 years Jill Ippolito Betz , his daughter Victoria Betz Yost, son Louis Betz III, son-in-law Matt Yost, grandson Mathew Yost Jr, granddaughter Elizabeth Yost. Sisters Valorie (Pete), Patty (Bob), brother Frank (Julie), in-laws, Jack and Joann Ippolito and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members, so many friends and Grand pups Champ and Stella.

Some of our favorite family times together were family trips to Quebec City, Alaska, Niagara Falls, Green Bay, Boston and many National Parks - Glacier, Bryce, Zion, Yosemite and our family favorite, Yellowstone National Park. As empty-nesters, Louis and Jill took so many wonderful trips together including our favorites ~ Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy; Vienna, Austria and Florence, Italy.

Louis’ biggest passion was helping people. His heart and his brain rivaled in size. He was always ready to offer help and advice, to anyone who called. And he loved learning new things. He loved our country and always cried at the national anthem, and he always told friends when they were in violation of the flag code. He loved physics, stand-up comedy, Super Bowls, the NCAA Final Four tournament, watching the Gators play football or basketball with his wife, Sunday pasta with the family, the smell of garlic and onion sautéing with Frank Sinatra on in the background, bringing in herbs and vegetables from his EarthBox garden, the family watermelon parade, all kinds of music especially classic rock, keeping his family happy every day, Yankees Spring Training, traveling. He thrived being challenged, hence his trademarked signature line “You Can’t Beat Relentless”.

We will honor Louis every day for all that he stood for in life.

If you are moved to do so, please make donations to More Transplants More Life. See link for online donation information or mailing address. https://www.mtml.org/general-2

Please contact the family for Celebration of Life details.