James H. Padgett

In 1941, the family moved to Southampton, Long Island. He graduated from Southampton High School in 1958. Known as “Flash” on the track team, he also played varsity basketball, football, baseball, and was a member of the Chorus, and the Boys’ Hi-Y.

Thereafter, he attended Virginia State College where he graduated from the Automotive Technology Program. He was also a member of their football team, track team, and the ROTC Rifle and Drill Team. While attending Virginia State, he enjoyed singing and touring with the “Shining Light Gospel Singers” of Norfolk.

On November 18, 1961, he married Karen Adams, and they moved to St. Albans, New York. From this union was born a son, James Henry Padgett Jr., a.k.a “Ajax.” They resided in St. Albans until their relocation to Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania , in December, 1992.

From 1961 until 1965, Jimmy was an auto mechanic at “Saul & Ben’s” Exxon Service Station, in Queens. From 1965 to 1991, he worked for the New York City Transit Authority, retiring after 25 years of service, as a Motorman.

Jimmy couldn’t stay retired for long. In 1997 he began working for the Pleasant Valley and Pocono Mountain School Districts as a Bus Driver. He retired in 2006.

After joining the Tobyhanna Methodist Church in 1994, he served on the Stewardship Committee, Board of Trustees, Worship Committee and the Administrative Council. In 1995, he joined the United Methodist Men serving as Secretary, President, and Harkness District President.

Jimmy served as a volunteer with the Monroe County Meals on Wheels and the Community Association of Pocono Farms Crime Watch. His hobbies were fishing, gardening and playing the bass guitar. He was an avid NASCAR fan and attended many races in Dover, Delaware.

Jimmy touched many lives and will be missed. In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by his grandson, Jordan Eugene, daughter-in-law Shelly Arleen, sister Gwendolyn, brother-in-law Ira, nieces, Shirley, Gwendolyn, Sylvia, Rita, Vanessa, one nephew, Christopher , great nieces, and many cousins.

Family and Friends will gather on Friday March 11, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lanterman and Allen Funeral Home Inc., 27 Washington St., East Stroudsburg, PA . Funeral Services will be held on Saturday March 12, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at the Tobyhanna United Methodist Church in Tobyhanna, with Rev. Thomas Daniel. Interment will be at Prospect Cemetery in East Stroudsburg directly following the funeral service.