Ed Tolle, a former property appraiser, city councilman and businessman, died Monday, Feb. 9, from complications associated with pneumonia, said his son-in-law, Pat Fitzpatrick. He was 91.Tolle, who moved to Citrus County in 1950 with his wife, Kay, died at home.He had recovered last summer after breaking his hip but became ill with the flu, Fitzpatrick said. “He was a fighter,” Fitzpatrick said. “He helped so many people.” Kay Tolle, who grew up in Crystal River, predeceased her husband in August 2012, after 66 years of marriage.The Tolles were known for their local politics, business leadership and deep family roots. Ed Tolle, raised in Lakeland, moved with his wife to Crystal River in 1950 after they met at Florida Southern University. They ran her father’s fish house — now Charlie’s Fish House — and Ed Tolle was an early manager at the Plantation Inn Golf and Country Club.Tolle’s political past includes 12 years as property appraiser and two separate terms on the Crystal River City Council.In the 1980s, Tolle opened the land appraisal and real estate office on U.S. 19 that bears his name. He also served as president of Citizens First National Bank.“He was the smartest man I’ve ever known,” Fitzpatrick said. “He taught me how to be a man.” Services are pending with Strickland Funeral Home. See Wednesday’s Chronicle for more.

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Edgar Earl Tolle Jr., age 91, of Crystal River, Florida, left this world for his heavenly home Feb. 9, 2015, while at home with family, long-time family friend, care giver, Pam Lutton and Hospice of Citrus County. Ed was born June 26, 1923, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Edgar and Sadie Tolle. He was raised in Lakeland, where his father was a Methodist minister of music. He graduated from high school in 1940 and attended college at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, majoring in education. He received his master degree at the University of Florida.

Ed left college and enlisted in the Army Air Corps a month after Pearl Harbor, with two of his brothers, Carol and Donald. Another brother, Kendall, was already serving in the Navy. Ed served as a gunner-photographer in a two-engine A-20 bomber with the 47th Bomb Group stationed in Northern Africa, Italy, Sardinia and France. He held the rating of staff sergeant and was awarded eight battle stars and the presidential unit citation.

After serving in the war, he returned to college at Florida Southern in Lakeland. He was on the tennis team and was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. His college nick name was "Whiz Tolle". He married his college sweetheart, Katherine (Kay) Barco, March 14, 1946. They moved to Citrus County in 1948, where Ed worked as principal of the elementary school in Hernando and taught the last four grades. He later taught at Citrus High School.

In 1953, Ed and Kay moved to Crystal River to run Barco and Daniels Fish and Oyster operation. (The business was where Charlie's Fish House is today.) During this time, he and his wife Kay, platted, planned, and developed the first residential neighborhood on the west side of the Citrus County called "Tropic Terrace" where he later lived and raised his family.

In 1964, Ed joined the staff of the Citrus County tax assessor's office, now known as property appraiser, working for his father-in-law, Hugh Barco. In 1966 Ed was elected to the position of Citrus County Tax Assessor, a position he held for ten years. He also served as President of the Florida Tax Assessors Association during the early 1970's. In 1976 he became president of Citizens First National Bank of Inverness.

Ed was active in real estate as a Broker, appraiser and developer. He was a Florida certified general appraiser and an SRA member of the Appraisal Institute. He built and ran the Century 21 Nature Coast office along U.S. 19 in Crystal River in 1985. There he started Tolle Appraisal Service where three generations of the Tolle family work as appraisers.

Ed's Christian faith is an important and integral part of his life. He was the son of a Methodist music minister and grandson of a Presbyterian minister as well. For a majority of his life in Citrus county, he has been a member of the Crystal River United Methodist Church. Through the years, Ed has taught Sunday school, served as a member of the board of trustees and directed and sang in the choir.

Outstanding contributions to the community and his service in public office include: Appointed to the Florida Postsecondary Education Planning Commission by the Governor Lawton Chiles in 1995; member of the board of trustees of the Citrus Memorial Hospital; member of the advisory board of the Central Florida Community College; member of the Citrus county medical planning council; board of Directors of the Seven Rivers Golf and Country Club; the Chamber of Commerce; Kings Bay Rotary & VFW. He served on the City of Crystal River city council for two terms. He is a member of Mensa IQ Society.