Ferdinand "Ferd" Lewis Salomon II, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away after a brief illness early in the morning of Thursday, July 7, 2016. Ferd was born on October 14, 1929 in New York, NY to Lewis George Salomon and Janet Brownell Thall. Ferd spent his teenage years in Daytona Beach, FL, graduating from Seabreeze High School in 1947.
After beginning his education at Stetson University in Deland, Ferd transferred to Duke University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. Following graduation, Ferd joined the Navy, obtaining his commission from Officer Candidate School and beginning a distinguished 31 year career, both as a Reservist and on active duty. He served initially as a Surface Warfare Officer during the Korean conflict. In 1958, Ferd graduated from the University of Virginia law school with a Bachelor of Laws degree. After three years of private practice in Daytona Beach, Ferd returned to the Navy on active duty as an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAGC).
Over the next 22 years, Ferd served in a number of billets of increasing authority and responsibility. His JAGC tours included a tour as an instructor at the Naval Justice School, staff counsel for Commander, U.S. Naval Activities UK in London, General Courts-Martial judge in Norfolk and other billets where his superb legal knowledge and sound judgment were valued. He presided over a number of high-profile military cases. His final tour on active duty was serving as the Legal Officer and General Counsel for the Commander, Naval Education and Training headquarters, based in Pensacola. Among his many military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Surface Warfare Officer designation.
Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1983, Ferd entered into private practice serving his clients in Pensacola for many years.
Ferd was active in the community in many different arenas, reflecting his energy and willingness to serve. He coached youth and high school soccer in both Virginia Beach and Pensacola, including coaching Pensacola High School varsity soccer for several years. Ferd has been active in the Pensacola Suburban West Rotary Club since 1986, twice serving as President and being recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. In addition, Ferd served on the Boards of the Pensacola Symphony and the Pensacola Opera.
His many diverse interests included photography, sailing, aviation, motorcycles, golf and competitive trap shooting. He has raced small sail dinghies, owned his own aircraft, was a semi-professional photographer and was a proud Harley-Davidson owner.
Ferd was blessed to have the love of two amazing women in his life. He has been married to Margaret Heard Salomon since 2000. Ferd was married to Ann Whitehead Salomon for 43 years until her passing in 1997.
Ferd is survived by his wife Margaret; sons CAPT Ferdinand Lewis Salomon III, USN, Ret, of Jacksonville, FL, CDR Colgate Whitehead Salomon, USN, Ret, of Ashburn, VA, and Richard Parker Salomon, of San Antonio, TX; daughters Elizabeth Brownell Salomon, of Denver, CO, and Mary Salomon Nelson, of Los Angeles, CA, and his adopted daughter, Kay Barlow. In addition, Ferd is survived by his brother, Brownell Salomon, of Boca Raton, FL, sister Evelyn Leapheart, of Stockbridge, GA, brother Bill Salomon of Oxford, MD, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Pensacola on Friday, July 15, 2016 at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in honor of Ferd to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Donations can be made online at https://giving.mskcc.org/ (select the Honor a Loved One option) or by calling 1-866-815-9501.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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