Gary Pajcic

Onetime Florida State University quarterback who became a talented lawyer, philanthropist and advocate. Had active role in his brother's bid for governor in 1986, when Steve was the Democratic nominee. Also active in the campaigns of former Gov. Lawton Chiles and former President Clinton. Chaired the 1995 campaign of Nat Glover, who became Jacksonville's first elected black sheriff. With his brother, established a $1 million endowment for Paxon High graduates from his old neighborhood to attend the University of Florida. Another $1 million was given to supplement teaching salaries at his elementary school, Annie R. Morgan. He sponsored six basketball teams for youngsters in the North Riverside area and paid for college for several of them, as well as gave $100,000 to the Warrick Dunn Foundation, which helps single mothers buy their first home. Mr. Pajcic grew up one of six children in the Woodstock Park neighborhood. Earned a football scholarship to Florida State University, where he was the quarterback for three years. After joining the State Attorney's Office after law school, Mr. Pajcic quickly rose through the ranks and won the first capital felony case in Jacksonville after the reinstatement of Florida's death penalty. He left to start a private practice with his brother.