James Leo Zechini

James Leo Zechini, 70, of Lynchburg, VA passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, at Lynchburg General Hospital after a long health battle. Perhaps, being the good Catholic and party-lover that he was, he held on all this time to ensure his arrival in heaven at the culmination of Holy Week—when we assume all the saints and angels throw the biggest celebration of the year.

You probably knew him as Jimi. He was quick to tell you it’s spelled like the greatest guitar player of all time: Jimi Hendrix. Or maybe you knew him as Zeke—a nickname he bore proudly like many men in his family. He loved to get a laugh, tell tall tales, and give his family and close friends nicknames like Buckwheat, Shellfish, Three Mules For, or Leviticus.

To know Jimi was also to know these three truths: Duke basketball is #1, The Rolling Stones are the greatest rock and roll band of all time, and nothing is better than a T-Room Cheesy Western made all the way.

Jimi was born on January 15, 1953 in Lynchburg, VA to Lorenzo Leo “Buster” Zechini and Madeline Riley Zechini. He was a graduate of Holy Cross Catholic School and loved to tell stories of his basketball and soccer glory days. After attending Belmont Abbey College, he worked for Perry Pools, and then managed restaurants in Roanoke and later in Durham, which opened the door to his dream career of working for Duke University.

Ever since Jimi was a child, his blood ran DUKE blue. Being part of a Catholic family means being obsessed with Notre Dame (because they’re basically God’s team, right?), and the family was very excited for a big game with Notre Dame vs. Duke—but Duke won. So, Jimi’s 6-year-old brain concluded “If Notre Dame is the best, but Duke won, then that means Duke is the best.” From that moment, he became their #1 fan. His first dog was named Duke, and he kept meticulous records of game stats from childhood until his death.

Jimi’s career at Duke began as a manager in Food Services, then as the warehouse manager of Duke Stores. He was thrilled to work basketball games in Cameron Indoor Stadium because it gave him the opportunity to see the games up close, meet the great Dickie V, and be on a first name basis with Coach K. During his battle with colon cancer, Coach K called him to pass along personal encouragement and well wishes from the Duke community. This gesture was a powerful part of his treatment and recovery. He retired from Duke after 34 years of dedication.

Jimi was the life of the party. Whether he was making jokes or singing original songs while strumming heavily on his guitar, he made you smile and laugh at every interaction. He was notorious for tearing up the dance floor at special occasions, with moves second only to Mick Jagger. Equal parts silly and serious, his faith was very important to him. He fully embraced the “mystery of faith,” but now we can’t help but smile that he is reveling in the full knowledge and understanding of that mystery.

Jimi came from a large Italian family and is survived by many family and friends. He was born and died in Lynchburg, VA, but called Cary, NC home for the majority of his life. Jimi is survived by: his former wife, Deborah Fusco Zechini, and their children Madalin Tara Owens (Dustin), Matthew Leo Zechini (Jessica), Andrew James Zechini, and Michael Philip Zechini; his beloved grandsons Levi Dalton Owens and Gabriel James Owens; his siblings Richard Riley Zechini (Margaret), Sandra Zechini Keesee, Theresa Zechini Ogden (Michael, who was more like a brother than a brother-in-law), Esther Karen Zechini; close friend Lenny Frye; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.

We know Jimi is in heaven eating a bowl all the way, listening to The Stones, and doing his best to influence an immaculate Duke basketball season this coming fall.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to one of Jimi’s favorite causes: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (oblatesusa.org), or Lynchburg Humane Society (lynchburghumane.org).

There will be two Celebration of Life Services—one in Lynchburg, VA and one in the Raleigh, NC area. We invite close friends and family members to join us for the first Celebration of Life service at Hope Community Church (821 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC) on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

A Celebration of Life for Jimi will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Amelon U.M. Church in Madison Heights. The family wants everyone to feel free to wear Duke Blue Devil colors or Rolling Stones attire. Jimi wanted a celebration, not a funeral!