Business leader Marvin Cecil “Ceree” Harden III died Aug. 14 after a long illness.
He was 70.
Visitation is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Borowy Family Children’s Critical Care Tower at Wolfson Children’s Hospital Downtown.
A celebration of life service begins at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 25 at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, 4001 Hendricks Ave.
His son, Christian Harden, shared the announcement on his Facebook page, drawing more than 200 comments.
“He came from very little and brought a style of servant leadership that inspired us and brought out the best in us,” Harden wrote
“Losing a father of such magnitude is a loss that is unimaginable,” posted Duval County Judge Audrey Moran. “He was a man of great conviction and determination.”
Government affairs leader Marty Fiorentino wrote his condolences. “Your dad was a great man. He was an incredibly successful businessman, friend, community leader and steward,” he wrote.
“His will be long remembered for the many things he did to make Jax a better place.”
Former Jacksonville Civic Council CEO Jeanne Miller said “he meant so much to so many and contributed his time, talent and resources to make our community a better place.”
Born in Jacksonville on May 4, 1953, Harden joined his father’s insurance agency, Harden & Associates, in 1976 after graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in finance.
Harden sold the agency in December 2020 to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The agency M.C. Harden Jr. established in 1953 became part of Gallagher’s Southeast division and Harden III was named area chairman for Gallagher.
During his career, Harden served on the board of directors for many business and civic organizations including FPIC Insurance Group, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, JAX Chamber and Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville.
He was a First Coast Business Hall of Fame inductee, an honorary member of Leadership Jacksonville and a recipient of the Hope Award, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s highest honor for outstanding civic and community service.
Harden also was a member of the United Way Campaign Cabinet and board member at Riverside Presbyterian Day School.
As CEO of Harden & Associates, he was a general partner and developer of EverBank Plaza at 501 Riverside Ave., the riverfront tower where the agency has its offices.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ALS Association.
JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of JAX Chamber, held a moment of silence Aug. 15 in honor of Harden, who chaired the chamber in 1999.