Former Lakeland mayor Ralph "Buddy" Fletcher has died at the age of 84.
- Lakeland's longest serving mayor died Tuesday
- 'Buddy' Fletcher known as man of faith, consensus builder
- He helped bring new businesses to Lakeland
He was Lakeland's longest serving mayor, holding the position from 1993 to 2010. He died Tuesday after complications from a stroke.
Fletcher was known for his sunny disposition, and he seemed to really enjoy the mostly ceremonial job of mayor. He attended countless groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings.
Former City Manager Gene Strickland saw Fletcher as a consensus builder. "He didn’t like dissension. He liked bringing people together," said Strickland.
Fletcher was a major advocate of bringing new businesses to Lakeland and of making sure the city's downtown was revitalized.
Fletcher was a man of faith. He was instrumental in getting First Baptist Church to buy the old, closed Lakeland Mall on Memorial Boulevard and turn it into a huge church complex.
Pastor Gene Wells was with Fletcher and his wife Weetsie when Fletcher died.
"And as he was taking his last breath, Weetsie looks over and says, 'Honey, I know you are going to see Jesus any minute.'"
Wells believes Fletcher will be remembered as a great friend of the city.
"He was a born again believer," Wells said. "They knew by his actions and his lifestyle and his commitment to his family and commitment to the city of Lakeland, he was a true friend. He was a just friend."
Mayor Ralph 'Buddy' Fletcher with basketball great Charles Barkley