Gabriel "Gabe" Cazares died at age 86 at the Westchester Gardens Rehabilitation & Care Center in Clearwater, Florida.

He was a mayor of Clearwater, Florida, a Pinellas County commissioner, a civil rights advocate, and a noted critic of Scientology.

He was born in Alpine, Texas, on January 31, 1920. He had eight other siblings. He was raised in Los Angeles, California and was employed there in the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Cazares studied at Los Angeles City College while on a scholarship as a track athelete. Additionally he took coursework at Fresno State College. He subsequently received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Texas Christian University. He also took classes at the University of Maryland. Cazares graduated from Jackson College, Honolulu, Hawaii, with a master's degree in business management.

He joined the Army Air Forces in 1941. He served in both World War II and Korea. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Air Forces before retiring in 1966. He took up residence in Clearwater, Florida in 1967 and was a stockbroker there.

Cazares served as mayor of Clearwater, Florida, from 1975-1978. He was County Commissioner, Pinellas County, Florida, from 1980-1984. He campaigned for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976 and again in 1986, but his bids were unsuccessful. In 1990 he was elected chairman of the Pinellas County Democratic Party.

His first wife Maggie Cazares died in 1989. His second wife Velma Cazares died of cancer in 2004.

Funeral arrangements were performed by Moss Feaster Funeral Home in Largo, Florida. Memorial services were held October 14, 2006 at Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater, Florida. This was followed by inurnment at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park in Largo, Florida.

Sources:

"Cazares' Blend Of Fire And Kindness". October 3, 2006. The Tampa Tribune. The Tribune Co. p. 10.

"Cazares' liberal thought was ideal". October 19, 2006. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 2.

Donila, Mike. "Ex-mayor's memorial service set for Oct. 14". October 6, 2006. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1.

Donila, Mike. "Late Cazares remembered for being a voice for all". October 15, 2006. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1.

Donila, Mike; Robert Farley. "For the disadvantaged and against Scientology - Gabe Cazares spoke out, whether it was as Clearwater mayor, to promote civil rights or to fight Scientology." September 30, 2006. St. Petersburg Times. (now called Tampa Bay Times.) St. Petersburg, Florida.

Editorial. "If Good Men Do Nothing". Clearwater Sun. November 28, 1979.

"Interview with Gabe Cazares". Videotaped: April 16, 1983.

Kornacki, Steve. "Friends Recall - A Life of Giving - Cazares Touched Hearts of Many". October 15, 2006. The Tampa Tribune.

McCartney, Anthony. "Former Mayor - Of Clearwater, Activist Dies At 86". September 30, 2006. The Tampa Tribune. The Tribune Co. p. 6.

"Meet Gabe Cazares". LMT International. Retrieved 4 October 2012.

"Memorial Gabe Cazares". October 16, 2006. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 2.

"Scientology: The Clearwater Conspiracy". 60 Minutes. CBS News. CBS. 1980.

Stafford, Charles L.; Bette Orsini. "Scientology: An in-depth profile of a new force in Clearwater". January 9, 1980. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. (also at: www.sptimes.com.)

Tisch, Chris. "Memorial for former mayor, activist today in Largo". October 14, 2006. St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 1.

"United States Social Security Death Index," Gabriel Cazares, 2006. Place of issuance is California.

Wikipedia contributors. "Gabe Cazares". Retrieved 31 July 2012. (Incorporates text from Wikipedia article).