Page 236 - lake-city-florida-a-sesquicentennial-tribute-(h-morris-williams-kevin-mccarthy)-2009

Lake City, Florida: A Sesquicentennial Tribute (2009) H. Morris Williams, Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy

Lake City Junior College

In 1962, the University of Florida Forest Ranger School at
Lake City joined the newly
established network of 28 two-

year colleges as Lake City Junior
College and Forest Ranger
School. One of the persons
responsible for establishing Lake
City Junior College was G.T.
“Doc” Melton, who served in
the Florida State Senate
representing the 14th District
from 1959 until the 1966 term.
He was also chairman of the
powerful Senate Education
Committee. He joined forces
with F.W. “Shorty” G.T. “Doc” Melton
Bedenbaugh of the Florida
House of Representatives to introduce bills to put a so-called “junior
college” in Lake City.
Melton later served the
college for 16 years as
chairman of the board of
trustees. The Learning
Resources building on the
campus of the school is
named in his honor. Melton
was considered a prime
candidate to run for
governor until he developed
heart trouble.

F.W. “Shorty”
Bedenbaugh, legislator,
barber, musician
232

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