Photos for Headline Surfer / James Morgan Hyatt, shown above on his golf cart near Mosquito Lagoon in Oak Hill, died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2020, at the age of 95.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
OAK HILL, Fla. -- Linda Hyatt, the venerable city commissioner and longtime vice mayor in Oak Hill posted a stoic announcement before noon today on her Facebook page: "Heaven gained another angel this morning when Whistle passed away."
She added, "Just too many friends to call and text but FB tells it all."
James Morgan Hyatt, better known as "Whistle" to their large circle of friends, died this morning.
Hyatt did her best to put on a brave face, telling Headline Surfer that her beloved husband "passed away at 95 after almost 49 years of marriage."
She added, "I had almost gotten him trained!"
This was about all she could muster with the reality that she would have to go on without him.
Vice Mayor Linda Hyatt did her best to put on a brave face, telling Headline Surfer that her beloved husband "passed away at 95 after almost 49 years of marriage."
She added, "I had almost gotten him trained!" This was about all she could muster with the reality that she would have to go on without him
In just a few hours, well over a hundred condolences were being offered.
I am so sorry for your loss," friend Cathy Lindlau wrote. "If there's anything you need please let us know."
Shelley Callaway, wrote, "I am so sorry, Linda. I will be praying for you to find peace."
Margie Barnes added, "We love you. You already know we are here for you. We along with so many others will miss him. Loved his dry humor. Now who am I going to give the box of chocolates to and know he just might share one or two with you?"
Joy Hoiby Sillman, another friend, perhaps summarized best what many others felt: "Linda, I am so sorry. My loving thoughts are with you today and all the days to come. Please take care of yourself and rest assured that he is in Gods beautiful hands and is watching over you. Your forever guardian angel. Fly high, Whistle."
Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched 12 years ago that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed more than a hundred journalism industry awards in print & online -- more than all other members of the working press combined in Central Florida since the mid-1990s. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism with academic honors from Full Sail University in 2019. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary programs on Discovery ID and Reelz for his investigative reporting and cops & courts breaking news stories.