Former Fort Walton Beach Mayor Mike Anderson, remembered as a tireless advocate for the city, died Tuesday after a brief illness, according to the city. He was 82.

• Anderson served as mayor from 2005 to 2017, capping off a two-decade career in public service that began with his election to the city council in 2001. His tenure was marked by a commitment to community engagement and civic improvement.

City Manager Jeff Peters, who knew Anderson since the early 1980s, reflected on the former mayor’s dedication. “Mike Anderson always had the city’s best interest in mind,” Peters said. “He was such an advocate for being out in the community, and he really set the tone from a mayoral standpoint. You would see him at every meeting, event, whether it be on the military bases or at any kind of city function.”

Before entering politics, Anderson had a distinguished military career, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. He then worked in civil service at Eglin Air Force Base until 2005. This background served him well in fostering relationships with local military installations.

Current Mayor Dick Rynearson, who served on the city council during Anderson’s mayorship, praised his predecessor’s legacy. 

• “He was a fantastic ambassador for the city. He never met a stranger and he just represented us [the city] extremely well,” Rynearson said. “Even after he was mayor, he came to multiple council meetings and would give us his thoughts or his input on budget matters. He continued to care deeply for the city, even after he was no longer an elected official.”

Anderson’s involvement in the community extended beyond his official duties. He coached city league soccer and was instrumental in securing Fort Walton Beach’s designation as a Tree City USA in the early 2000s.

Ted Corcoran, CEO of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, highlighted Anderson’s unique contributions. “Mike Anderson was the only elected official that has ever served on our Chamber Board of Directors,” Corcoran said. “He was able to bring together the government side of our city and the business side of our city.”

Corcoran also noted Anderson’s participation in local traditions. “Prior to Mike Anderson, there was no communication with Captain Billy Bowlegs before the krewe stormed The Landing,” Corcoran said, referring to the annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival. “Through the years, Mike became a pretty good actor because every single Captain Billy had a different skit, a different premise of what they were using to take over the city.”

Former City Manager Michael Beedie emphasized Anderson’s impact on Fort Walton Beach’s reputation. 

• “Through his leadership as Mayor, the City of Fort Walton Beach became widely known throughout the State of Florida,” Beedie said. “Fort Walton Beach became a driving force in Tallahassee through Mike’s constant advocacy. He also built a close relationship with our military partners and made sure the City was involved in everything.”

Anderson’s legacy includes his role in initiating many of the city’s recent projects. “A lot of the great projects completed and ongoing over the last 10-15 years were started under his leadership,” Beedie noted. “He always aimed to keep the millage rate as low as possible but also wanted the City to be the best in the state.”

Even after leaving office, Anderson remained engaged in city affairs, frequently attending council meetings to offer input on budget matters. His dedication to Fort Walton Beach spanned nearly four decades, from his arrival in 1979 with his wife Linda to his continued involvement in recent years.

The city also mourns the loss of Carole Jones, a longtime city employee who passed away Wednesday. Jones worked for nearly 28 years in various city departments before retiring in 2022.

• “Carole made sure that things were done correctly, and she had a heart of gold,” said Human Resources Director Tarey Franxman. “She was diligent, she was professional, and she genuinely cared about the city.”

To honor the memory of both Anderson and Jones, the city plans to plant trees in one of its parks, commemorating their shared commitment to Fort Walton Beach’s urban forest.