Harold G. Featherstone, a former circuit court judge and Florida legislator, died on July 19 of Parkinson’s disease. He was 80.
After serving in the U.S. Army’s Air Force during World War II and the Korean War, Featherstone graduated from the University of Miami and started practicing civil law.
In 1966, Featherstone was elected to the Florida House of Representatives where he was credited with getting three major bills passed. One mandated that all Florida gas stations accept major credit cards. Another led to the installation of emergency call boxes along the Florida Turnpike. Featherstone also got chiropractic care included in the state’s medical insurance coverage.
When his six-year term ended, Featherstone joined 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Dade County. He spent 20 years on the bench, presiding over both criminal and civil cases.