James Jack Lathan

In 2012, Jimmy moved back into his family home to help care for his brother. After Billy's passing, Jimmy chose to remain in the family home, where he felt safe and comfortable.

James (Jimmy Jack) was born in Newark, New Jersey, on May 18, 1952, to his late parents, Jack and Annette. The Lathan family relocated from Bloomfield, New Jersey, to Rockledge, Florida, in 1965.

On October 13, 1989, James married Debra in Cocoa, Florida. In 1972, James was drafted into the U.S. Army and, after serving, was honorably discharged due to medical issues. Later, he was deemed 100% disabled.

Always a hard worker, James liked to stay busy. He worked for Carousel Florist as a flower display designer and enjoyed delivering flowers during the holidays for Merritt Island Florist. He also worked for Tarmac and suffered additional injuries on the job, which worsened his medical problems stemming from his military service.

Debra, his loving wife, owned a cleaning business, and James enjoyed driving her and her employees to and from jobs. He also loved helping her by trying to bring in new clients for the business.

A gifted musician and singer, Jimmy Jack had an incredible talent for impersonating famous singers. His favorite instruments were the keyboard and guitar, but he had the ability to play any instrument put in front of him.

James was previously married to June Price (Bentley Lathan), who has since passed away. Together, they had a daughter, April Lynn Lathan (Ryan), born on October 15, 1981.

James is survived by his “step” mom, Marry (Birr) Lathan, with whom he shared 22 years of marriage. He is also survived by his wife of 36 years, Debra Lathan (Van Sipe); his daughter, April Ryan (Lathan); and two grandchildren, Zachary Wayne Ryan, 24, and Galaxy Jewel Ryan, 19. He is also survived by two stepbrothers, Thomas Lathan and Michael Lathan, as well as his niece, Michelle Pence (Lathan), and her children, Rory and Elijah, and their families.

James considered his lifelong friends as family, including Rick Adams, Melody Maxwell-Hickey (Rymer) and her family, Tanille Birath (Theilacker) and her family, Jennifer Roberts (Dunn) and her family, and Amanda McGinnis and her family.

James was preceded in death by his mother, Annette Lathan (1988); his father, Jack J. Lathan (2012); and his brother, William T. Lathan (2016).

A visitation for James will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32953. A funeral service will follow on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the same location. A committal service will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM at Brevard Memorial Park, Spring Street, Frontenac (Cocoa), FL 32927. At this time, James’ brother, William, will also be interred and placed alongside Jimmy in the family crypt.