Ashby A McClanahan Jr.

I have been a resident of Central Florida for most of my life.  Born in Eustis, FL, I have made it my life's work to protect and defend the rights of those in my community.

I spent my childhood on various naval bases with my parents.  My father was a career Naval Nuclear Weapons Officer and was stationed in Bermuda where I spent my senior year of high school, graduating from Kindley Air Force Base High School as the Salutatorian.

During my senior year he received appointments to US Military Academy (West Point), US Naval Academy (Annapolis), US Air Force Academy, US Coast Guard Academy, and an alternate appointment to the US Merchant Marine Academy and chose to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.

After receiving my commission, I served as an officer in the United States Army.  During my tenure, I served as the non-attorney Squadron Staff Legal Officer for the Special Court-Martial Jurisdiction for the Commander of the 1st Squadron, 10th Calvary Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado, for approximately 12 months.  Later, in Baumholder, Germany, I served as the non-attorney Brigade Staff Legal Officer for the Special Court-Martial Jurisdiction for the Commander of the 2nd Brigade (Mechanized), 8th Infantry Division, the largest Special Court Martial Jurisdiction in the U.S. Army, encompassing approximately 8,000 active duty military personnel in several NATO countries.

I attended and graduated from the University of Florida College of Law and excelled as a member of The Law Review as a researcher and writer in the areas of legal ethics and water law for Dean Emeritus Frank Maloney.

After becoming a member of the Florida Bar, I chose a position as a part-time Assistant Public Defender (Felony Division) with the Seminole County Office of the Public Defender for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit and practiced law as a sole practitioner for family, civil, real property, and probate matters, with offices in Sanford and Orlando.
                                   
Since 1952, I have attended and been a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer of Sanford, Florida, serving as both an Elder and the Vice-President of the Congregation.

I have also been a member of Masonic Lodge No. 62, Sanford, Florida, since 4 May 1993, and have been a member and/or supporter of the Fleet Reserve, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Moose Lodge for differing periods of time since returning to Sanford in 1978.