Oakland dedicates fishing pier to Voss

Officials with the town of Oakland gathered at the end of the fishing pier on Lake Apopka on Saturday to dedicate the structure to Mayor Jefferson P. “Jake” Voss, a former mayor who had a passion for fishing. Members of Voss’ family — including wife Jane Briley Voss, three of his four children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren — were there for the short ceremony on the sunny April morning.

Mayor Kathy Stark said this was a very appropriate place to remember Voss. Son Jeff Voss thanked the town for the honor and said the sixth generation of the Briley family now makes Oakland its home.

Once one correction is made to the plaque, it will be placed in a glass box at the entrance to the pier at the north end of Tubb Street.

Jefferson P. “Jake” Voss was born in 1923 to the late Thomas Jefferson Voss and Fellie Mae Mooney. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters with the U.S. Navy during World War II, and after graduating from Stetson University, he began a career in education as a teacher and principal. In West Orange County, he worked at Lakeview and Ocoee high schools and Winter Garden, Dillard Street and Ocoee elementaries.

Voss served the town of Oakland as a town commissioner from 1969-73 and two terms as mayor from 1991-96.