Ed Houston

J. Edward Houston, a lawyer, banker and civic leader who helped modernize Broward County in the 1970s and 1980s, died Monday at his home in Fort Lauderdale. He was 81. The son of a Dania Beach mayor, Houston was known for leading the growth of Barnett Bank in South Florida through acquisitions to top $2 billion in assets by 1983. He also worked as an early member of the Downtown Development Authority, which encouraged such cultural landmarks as the library, museum and performing arts center. He also helped push for the "bed tax" on visitors that funds Broward tourism marketing. The Fort Lauderdale News and Sentinel, now the Sun Sentinel, gave Houston its Broward Business Leader of the Year award in 1982. "His contribution to the infrastructure that has made Fort Lauderdale what it is today - to Las Olas, the cultural organizations, the airport and the port, is huge," said Marc Cannon, senior vice president of public policy for Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation, on learning of Houston's death on Monday. Friends and colleagues say Houston was smart, creative and pushed boundaries. "He was a Southern gentleman who said "Yes ma'am and yes sir," said Nicki Grossman, pre...[more]

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ent of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. "And in his quiet way, he got things done." Houston is survived by two sons, attorney Bart Houston of Fort Lauderdale and developer J. Brett Houston of Coconut Grove; his five grandsons, Jake, Mack, Will, Jack and John Houston Ford; and by his longtime companion Joan M. Kretz; and other relatives. Services will be held at the New Mount Olive Church in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The family requests memorial donations be made to ALS Association in memory of Barrie Lynn Houston. www.alsa.org