Richard Leonard Fletcher Sr.

Richard Leonard Fletcher, Sr. Our Dad, Richard L. Fletcher, Sr., age 93 departed this life on November 19, 2016, joining our mother, his beloved wife, Mary Louise, with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the son of Leonard and Ruth, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He moved to Orlando with his parents at the age of 12. Dad and Mary Louise were married for 65 years. He graduated from Orlando High School in 1940 and attended the University of Florida for two years before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps. Dad flew B-24's and B-25's in the Pacific campaign and served in the Jolly Roger Squadron. Returning to Orlando in 1945, he joined Mary Louise, and one year old son, Ricky. Working at Tucker and Branham, Dad met his future partner, Grover Bryan, later to form Bryan & Fletcher Realtors, Inc. and Fletcher & Bryan Insurance, Inc. In 1960, Dad and good friend Sam Lawrence, formed Budget Rent A Car Company of Florida and enjoyed success as Budget grew to become a significant player in the U.S. car rental industry. He was active in the community, serving as President of Orlando Insurer's Association, Director of the University Club, the Country Club of Orlando, The Red Cross, and Chairman of the OUC Insurance Commission for 20 years and Co-founder of Trinity Preparatory School. Governor Hayden Burns appointed Dad as the first Chairman of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, serving under three governors. He served through the completion of the Beeline and all right of way acquisition of the East-West Expressway (the 408). Florida Governors Claude Kirk and Hayden Burns said that Dad's persistent leadership efforts against the critics of “the road from nowhere to nowhere" and the dreaded "Great Wall" (the 408) were responsible for the timely and on budget construction of these roads. A highlight for him was meeting with Walt Disney to discuss roadway needs. Dad was well known and appreciated for all of his civic activities; however, he will perhaps best be remembered for his devotion to his wife and childhood sweetheart, Mary Louise, who suffered a stroke at age 55. He then retired and stayed at her side serving her daily for the next 28 years until her death in 2007. Such faithfulness and devotion are a wonderful example for all the family. Our father is survived by his four children: Richard L. Fletcher, Jr. (Suzanne), Roger Fletcher, Mary Lowry (Bill) and Marcia Kazmi (Irfan), as well as 9 grandchildren; Arden, Adair, Ansley, Mary Beth, Amy, Ashley, Beth, Katie and Richard, and 14 great-grandchildren, Fletcher, Carlin, Camp, Connor, Luke, Drew, Ansley Allen, Cade, Haven, Lexi, Colson, Connor, Abigail Louise and Carson.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of the Comforter, in Dad's name. (480 W. Central Pkwy, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714). Funeral service will be at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 2499 North Westmoreland Drive, Orlando on Monday, November 28, 2016 at 11:00 o'clock.