FL Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant Founder Jimmy Patronis Sr Dies Thursday

BAY COUNTY, FL. (THECOUNT) — Jimmy Patronis, Sr, one of Bay County Florida’s most influential business and community leaders, has died Thursday morning. He was 88.

Patronis and his brother Johnny came to Panama City from Tallahassee in the 1950’s and were partners in the old Seven Seas Restaurant in downtown Panama City until 1967 when they bought a small restaurant off Thomas Drive called Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant.

The brothers built Capt. Anderson’s into one of the most famous seafood restaurants in the United States. Thousands of people have worked at the restaurant in the 53 years the Patronis family has owned it, reports MyPanHandle.

They also invested heavily in real estate. They donated the land where Patronis Elementary school stands and are responsible for buying and preserving a good portion of the property surrounding Econfina Creek which produces the county’s drinking water supply.

Jimmy Patronis is survived by his wife Helen and their four sons, Theo, Yonnie, Nick and Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Jr., as well as a number of grandchildren.

A cause of death was not provided.

Funeral arrangements are being finalized.

DEVELOPING::

Geo quick facts: Bay County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 168,852. Its county seat is Panama City. Bay County is included in the Panama City, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area – Wikipedia.