An integral member of The Sengra Corporation’s (forerunner to The Graham Companies) management team in the early development of the New Town of Miami Lakes, R. Floyd Luckey Jr. passed away on November 5 after a long illness at his home in Lancaster, New Hampshire.
Luckey was a 1948 graduate of LaBelle High School in LaBelle, Florida. He attended the University of Florida graduating in 1951 with high honors and a degree in Agricultural Education. In 1953, he earned a Master’s degree in Agriculture Economics and Cooperative Dairy Marketing.
He served in the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of commanding officer. He served aboard the USS Wisconsin and the submarine USS Burrfish, and was honorable discharged after 3 years and 4 months of distinguished service.
After leaving the Navy, he served for 5 years as manager of the Independent Dairy Farm Cooperative in South Florida and worked closely with the dairy farmers enabling the cooperative to become a thriving business.
His hard work and dedication to the project did not go unnoticed.
As William A. Graham, and his brother Bob (now retired U.S. Senator), began their development of what was previously their dairy farm, they brought Luckey to their team to develop the 3000 acres of what was known as the New Town of Miami Lakes and what has now become the vibrant and beautiful Town of Miami Lakes.
Luckey worked closely with renowned landscape architect and town planner Lester Collins in creating compatible adjoining land uses, zoning codes approved by then Dade County, and innovative residential and commercial building designs that lured many new residents and businesses to the fledgling community.
Dedicating 15 years to the Miami Lakes projects, Luckey then retired and relocated to Bonita Springs, Florida, where for the next 30 years, he was active in the southwest Florida areas of real estate and condominium development.
Luckey was instrumental in the creation of Black Island and the quaint taste of simple vacation life at Bonita Beach Plantation Resort (a/k/a “Crackerville”). Ultimately, Black Island and Lovers Key were combined to be the Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park.
Luckey, and his wife Barbara, operated the Bonita Beach Plantation Resort for 15 years. In 2005, they retired to New Hampshire, and after 35 years of marriage, she passed in 2013.
His obituary contains the following tribute: “Floyd was truly a gentle, kind and loving soul who touched many who met and worked with him throughout his life. Those who are left behind are enriched by his spirit and grateful for his genial manner, generosity, and kind ways.”