Sonny and Diane Nobles

LIVE OAK, Fla. — A desire to serve led Garth “Sonny” Nobles to seek election.

Now, after 42 years of elected public service, Nobles will retire this summer.

He was first elected to a seat on the Live Oak City Council in 1976.

“This was a way for me to fulfill the need to help people,” Nobles said.

In 2002, he successfully ran for the mayoral seat.

“I’ve had a hand in just about everything since 1976,” Nobles said. “But what I am most proud of is the service I have given to the citizens of Live Oak.

“I love this city, I love the people and I have dedicated much of my life to serving them.”

CRA Project Specialist Kim Smiley said: “I have had the privilege of working with Mayor Sonny Nobles for over 12 years and I have never met anyone that cares so much about our community here in Live Oak.”

That devotion to the city and its residents have been Nobles’ guiding principle over the years. He said that if something is important to the residents, he tries to make it important to him.

“I’ve always been very receptive to people’s ideas and responsive to their needs,” Nobles said, adding he said he is always looking for way to make Live Oak a better place to live.

Nobles said in that pursuit the city has made numerous improvements over the years including the development of the spray field, expansion of the wastewater plant and the restoration of the old city hall.

But he was quick to point out that he didn’t accomplish any of that on his own.

“Mayor Nobles has served the City of Live Oak with distinction and honor for many years,” Councilman Frank Davis said. “One of his most outstanding traits is his love for our city. As a result, he is one of it’s greatest supporters.

“I know he will continue to be a spokesman and advocate for Live Oak.”

While serving the city as an elected official the past 42 years, Nobles also served the community as an educator.

Nobles received his degree in education from Valdosta State University and began teaching at the Suwannee Middle School as a seventh-grade social studies teacher. He continued his education career until his retirement in 2000.

Nobles was recognized on three different occasions by the Suwannee County School District for his “valiant efforts and immediate actions” involving emergency and dangerous situations that took place in the school system during his teaching career.

In 1985, he was chosen by the Suwannee Foundation For Excellence In Education as “Teacher of the Year” at SMS. He was chosen by the Florida Council For The Social Studies to receive the “Teacher of the Year Award” in 1992.

Nobles coached football and basketball at the middle school for 28 years.

He also has been active with the Florida League of Cities and Suwannee River League of Cities.

Nobles was recognized by the Florida League of Cities as “one of Florida’s finest public servants” in 2004 and again in 2006.

He was recognized by the Florida League of Cities for his “Commitment, Support and Dedicated Advocacy” during the 2005 and 2008 Legislative Sessions.

In 2009, 2012 and 2013 he was presented with the “Home Rule Hero” Award from the Florida League of Cities for “outstanding legislative advocacy in the fight for municipal home rule.” In 2007, he was selected as the Municipal Official of the Year by the Suwannee River League of Cities.

Most recently, Mayor Nobles was again awarded the Home Rule Hero Award in 2015 and was recognized by the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council with a Perfect Attendance Award for 2015.

“Sonny’s true dedication to our City is proven as a recipient of numerous Home Rule Hero Awards,” Smiley said. “His passion, drive and determination for doing what is right will truly be missed.”

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Mayors, Advocacy Committee and Transportation and Intergovernmental Committee of the FLC. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Suwannee River League of Cities and the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust. He is also a member of the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch Board of Associates.

City of Madison Councilman Jim Catron has known Nobles since he taught him at North Florida Community College and has since served with him at the Florida League of Cities.

“He regards service to people as not just a duty but a necessity,” Catron said. “He is always prepared, gracious and puts an emphasis on people first.”

Nobles is now looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Diane, their two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“My wife has been my greatest supporter and at times my greatest critic,” Nobles said.” She has been a great support of mine.”