Hundreds pay respects to Jim Krog

Jim Krog -- lobbyist, adviser to governors and Democratic strategist -- was eulogized Monday for his humor, generosity of spirit and love of life at a memorial service attended by hundreds of friends and colleagues.

Krog died last Thursday at age 60. He ran both of Lawton Chiles' campaigns for governor, was Chiles' first chief of staff and had a long career as a lobbyist. In the early '70s, he was a Democratic Party staff member and a legislative aide.

"I've never known someone who was as much fun to be around," said Krog's friend, lobbyist Richard Gentry, one of four speakers at the hourlong service at Trinity United Methodist Church in Tallahassee.

Longtime friends John French and Anne Mackenzie recalled Krog's life with a mixture of humor and sadness, while Gentry delighted the audience with a lighthearted eulogy. Gentry said Krog was a rare person who never spoke critically of others, "although he did tell me on several occasions he really didn't like Guy Spearman." Spearman and the rest of the crowd howled with laughter. (click on jump for rest of story)

-- Steve Bousquet, Times capital bureau chief

Gentry noted Krog's disdain for personal confrontation, even though he relished a good political fight. Gentry, French and Mackenzie were among dozens of Krog's table-mates at Clyde's over the years.

Former Gov. Reubin Askew, who will soon turn 80, called Krog a special and vital member of his staff in the 1970s, including helping to pass a citizen initiative known as the Sunshine Amendment that brought ethics reform to state government.

Askew recalled Krog's integrity and intelligence and called him "deceptively bright, to tell you the truth. If you didn't think he was bright, he'd take your shirt off your back before you really knew it. That's why he was such a good lobbyist."

At the Governor's Club, friends socialized and reminisced about Krog while a slide show featured pictures.

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