Elijah D. "Ed" Armstrong III's Obituary
Elijah D. (Ed) Armstrong III, 68, passed away on August 29, 2025.
Ed grew up in Clearwater and was proud to call the community home. After graduating from Dunedin High School and the University of Maryland, he earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School and returned to Clearwater to begin his long and fulfilling legal career. He handled zoning and land use cases for 27 years at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, and after 2013, as the Founding Shareholder of Hill Ward Henderson’s Clearwater office. He was recognized as one of the area’s leading attorneys in this field by Chambers USA (11 years), The Best Lawyers in America (8 years), and Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.
Ed was deeply devoted to his community, advising local leaders and serving on countless governing boards. He served 15 years on the Board of Trustees for BayCare Health System, and chaired Morton Plant Mease Healthcare System, BayCare Medical Group, and the Finance Committee. He spent 10 years on The Bank of Tampa Pinellas Advisory Board and nearly a decade on the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board, where he was first appointed by Governor Rick Scott and later elected chair. He was a longtime board member and former chair of the Clearwater Regional Chamber (now Amplify Clearwater), and a trustee for Tampa Preparatory School and Pasco-Hernando Community College, among others. Ed was named “Mr. Clearwater” in 2014, an honor he cherished.
Ed brought an athlete’s persistence and competitive spirit to all he did. Baseball was his lifelong passion, from Clearwater youth leagues to the pitcher’s mound at the University of Maryland, and later as an avid Rays fan. He eventually developed a love for golf, relishing both the pursuit of the game and the meaningful friendships it fostered.
Ed had a way of forming friendships with ease, and gave generously of his guidance and support. He had a magnetic charisma and a rare gift for sparking laughter with inventive one-liners. He will be remembered for his kind compassion, sharp intellect, and infectious sense of humor.
Behind his vibrant presence, Ed quietly endured kidney disease throughout adulthood. The gift of two kidney transplants in 2002 and 2012 brought him renewed life amid chronic illness. He faced his medical challenges with optimism. Rather than dwell on the cards he was dealt, he chose to live each day to the fullest.
Above all, Ed treasured time with his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Tara, and their daughter, Lexa, for whom he never missed a dance recital, simple milestone, or phone call. They will miss him beyond measure.
A celebration of life will be held at First United Methodist Church of Clearwater, Friday, Sept. 26. An open reception begins at 11 a.m. and the service at 1 p.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the LifeLink Legacy Fund: https://LifeLinkFoundation.org
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