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Governor Reubin Askew will lie in state in the Historic Capitol next Tuesday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Funeral Services will be held at a Tallahassee Church on Wednesday at 2 in the afternoon, with the popular Governors final resting in Pensacola next Friday.

Flags on buildings across the state are at half-staff in honor of Governor Reubin Askew. That includes the mammoth Capitol building that Askew was directly responsible for building.

But Askew built more than just a Capitol Building or a legacy of ethics in government.

“Reubin Askew built roads,” said Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville), “he helped build the educational system in this state. He was a Governor who looked ahead. He cared about the next generation more than the next election.”

Askew was the first to serve two full consecutive terms as Governor. At his final Cabinet meeting in December 1978, he was humble.

“And I think being able to read the newspapers without being concerned of what extent there may be problems, I think will make a lot of difference,” Askew said, “but it’s been a great experience.”

Because Reubin Askew didn’t serve alcohol the entire eight years that he lived here in the Governor’s Mansion, the then Vice President Spiro Agnew cancelled a scheduled overnight, citing the official reason: security.

Aide Guy Spearman says the Governor didn’t expect his staff to follow his tee-totaling lead. “He didn’t smoke, drink or cus,” Spearman said.

At a ceremony commemorating his last year of teaching the Governor was asked if he missed public service. He responded that in the air force he used to love to jump out of airplanes, but he didn’t want to do it anymore.