Thank you, Helen! He will be greatly missed! Many a happy memories meeting him and Paula at games and discussing the Gators. It will definitely feel different this season.
GO GATORS!!!!! đ SHANE Sent from Shaneâs iPhone Go Gators! > On Aug 20, 2022, at 8:42 AM, Helen Huntley <hhsga...@gmail.com> wrote: > > ï»ż > In case some of you haven't seen this: > > Arthur Leon Polhill > Arthur Leon Polhill, born 8/29/42 at St. Vincentâs Hospital, Jacksonville, > Florida, lost his battle with cancer surrounded by his family on 7/24/22. He > is preceded in death by Leonard Leon Polhill (father), Lillian Irene Whitlow > (mother), and his sister, Polly Bodden (Elsie Irene Polhill). He is survived > by his wife, Paula Vogel Polhill, his son Hal (Stacy) Polhill, his daughter, > Diane (Gary) Leinenbach, and 3 grandsons, Kyle Polhill, Drew Leinenbach, and > Gavyn Leinenbach. > > Leon attended Jacksonville University then transferred and graduated from the > University of Florida, Class of 1966. He attended law school, then > transitioned after the 2nd year to earn a Masterâs degree. Raised by his > grandparents, Leon treasured family as evidenced by his career service, > commitment and dedication to serving the children and families of the State > of Florida. > > Leon taught high school social studies, Problems of American Democracy, at > Ocala High School for two years during the integration of public schools. > Leon transitioned to Youth Services (Delinquency) in the State of Florida, > traveling throughout the state ensuring the integrity of the educational > services provided to children in custody. During his career, he was one of > the pioneers in youth prevention services, creating and providing the first > runaway shelter and services in the state of Florida, which was modeled > throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. As Director of > Children Services in Hillsborough County, he was instrumental in providing > both residential and non-residential services to all children, youth and > their families. He continued work with the State of Florida as a Program > Administrator for Abuse and Neglect Prevention statewide. In 1999, Leon > retired to Gainesville, FL, where he could spend his retirement cheering on > his beloved Gators. Leon was a Gator Booster and season ticket holder for > both baseball and football, attending home and many away games over the years. > > In retirement, Leon continued to support children and families in Alachua > County volunteering with the Corner Drug Store, among other things. Leon was > also a Master Gardener who loved sharing his love and expertise of gardening > with others. He also spent much of his time supporting his grandsons, > attending their many school and sporting events as one of their biggest fans. > > Leon loved the Great Smoky Mountains, and after years of camping, he bought a > second home in Maggie Valley, NC, to ride over Soco Gap to access some of his > favorite hiking trails. He believed that each time you took a trail it gave > you new insight. He shared that philosophy with everyone and was thankful > for the Cherokee family who showed him the mountains over the years. > > Leon definitely understood the importance of family, friends and humanity. > He loved deeply, cared unceasingly, and always was available to help others. > > âDo not go softly into that good nightâ from Dylan Thomasâs poem was the > epitome of his fight against cancer. He fought gallantly. He said that > every chemo required learning to ride the new wild horse (chemo). In the > end, the song âIt is well with My Soulâ let him pass in peace. > > Leon will be greatly missed by those who loved him. > > A celebration of life will be held at Kanapaha Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Ave, > Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday, August 13 from 1 to 3 pm. > > In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for the University of Florida, College > of Education may be made out to the A. Leon and Paula F. Polhill Family > Endowment Scholarship Fund # F022151 and mailed to P.O. Box 14425, > Gainesville, FL 32604-2425, Attn: Gift Processing. Please note A. Leon > Polhill or UF Foundation F022151 in the memo area. > > You may choose to donate online, using the following link: > https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/022151-a-leon-and-paula-f-polhill-family-endowment-scholarship/ > > This scholarship fund is designated for 1st generation students with special > consideration given to youth in Take Stock in Children. Leon strongly > believed that education was the springboard to success and the great > equalizer. Leon was extremely proud that both his children chose careers in > education. > > -- > -- > GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! > 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 > National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 > National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier > (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "GatorTalk" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to gatortalk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gatortalk/CAPY6WJNScguXOnb7a2Ztar7yYd9CgmU%3D3_vFFDyagfRGNBYVKg%40mail.gmail.com. -- -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GatorTalk" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to gatortalk+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gatortalk/35AEC806-98B7-47BF-99A6-593BC79B70C9%40gmail.com.
