Lummie "Gene" James

Lummie Eugene “Gene” James, age 82, of Gahanna, Ohio, formerly of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2011. He was born October 30, 1928 to the late Rev. Lummie B. and Leah James. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Kelly Moody; stepson, Richie James, brother-in-law, Tony Santini and nephew, Eric Santini. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn James of Gahanna, OH; sister, Ruby Kittle of Simpson, WV; grandchildren, Brandon Avant and Katlyn and C.J. Moody of Myrtle Beach, SC; stepdaughters, Lisa James and Birdie Beals; special sister-in-law and nieces and nephews in Millersville, MD; special buddy, Chase Kallmerten; special friends in Columbus, Blacklick and Gahanna. Gene was a proud United States Marine, having attained the rank of SSgt. He was a Purple Heart recipient and was also awarded a Korean Service Medal with 2 stars, a United Nations Service Medal, a Navy Occupational Service Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. He was a pilot, owned his own refrigeration business and was a former baseball player, having played in the minor leagues of the Pittsburgh Pirates. A service with military honors will be held at 10am Saturday, April 30, 2011 in the Mausoleum Chapel on the grounds of Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43213. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Myrtle Beach, SC. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories or extend condolences. The family would like to thank Zusman Hospice as well as the staff at Bon-Ing Nursing Home for their wonderful care and love of Gene the last few months of his life.