LTC (Ret.) James Lawrence "Larry" Jefferis

James L. “Larry” Jefferis was born Jan 2, 1944 in Hutchinson, Kansas and passed away suddenly on May 16, 2015 at Southeast Georgia Hospital, Brunswick, GA. He was the son of James L. “Levis” and Vivian M. Hefner Jefferis, the oldest of five children.

He spent his childhood years in Goodwell and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Growing up mostly as a farm boy, he learned how to work hard and do most anything, traits that stayed with him throughout his life. Just about any of his large circle of family and friends came to Larry to learn from his expertise, whether it be wood working, mechanical challenges, model trains, or computers.

Larry graduated from Goodwell High School and Panhandle State College in Goodwell, OK. Upon graduation as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Army ROTC program, he was commissioned in 1966 as an Army second lieutenant in the Armor Branch. He served in a variety of locations, including Germany, Viet Nam, Kansas, Arizona, Georgia and Washington, DC. During this time, he attended Iowa State University and earned a Masters’ Degree in Electronics Engineering. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of proud service.

During one of his assignments at Ft. Riley, KS, Larry met his future wife, Vicky Wright, and they were married in December 1970.

Following his Army retirement, Larry worked in the computer field for Advanced Integrated Technology Arlington, VA and Nashville, TN, as a program manager and Vice President of Operations and later as a security program analyst for Booz-Allen-Hamilton, providing support for US Army Forces Command, Atlanta, GA. While living in Atlanta, Larry volunteered his time as Webmaster for his community association.

Larry retired once again in 2006 and turned his focus to overseeing the construction of his and Vicky’s retirement dream home and playing on his boat, ODYSSEY. He moved to Sanctuary Cove, Waverly, GA in December 2007 and soon developed a large group of new friends in the neighborhood and through the Golden Isles Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons. Once again, Larry gave generously of his time and talent, providing computer expertise, handyman services, and committee work to the Property Owners’ Association. He was deeply involved with the Power Squadron, shared his love of boating as an instructor for several of the courses it offers and served in various officer positions, including Commander of the local squadron. In addition, he served for several years as the District 26 Treasurer where he did truly “Come for the Education and Stay for the Friends.”

Larry is survived by his wife and four siblings; Robert J. (Joe) and Bonnie Jefferis, John L. and Kim Jefferis, Jerry L. and Cheryl Jefferis, and Susan Jefferis. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews including his special “Son in Arms” LTC Jason Jefferis, Shelley Harmon, Autumn Ellis, Adrienne Wilson, Cory Jefferis, Christa Jefferis, Jeremy Jefferis, Kenny Jefferis, Jenny Murata and their spouses as well as eight grand nieces and nephews. Larry had the great joy of spending precious time with most of this beloved family in April 2015 at a family wedding in Hawaii. In addition to his blood family, Larry had many friends he considered family living all around the world and enjoyed his last vacation to attend the Kentucky Derby and follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in May with a few of them.

Larry’s body will be cremated and his ashes inurned at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, Jacksonville, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fisher House Foundation which provides a “home away from home” for service men and women and veterans during medical crises, the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with Reverend Jimmy Crandall officiating. Inurnment with full military honors will follow at 2:30 pm at Jacksonville National Cemetery.