James Rhea Love

.James Rhea “Jim” Love, 79, of Lecanto, Florida, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at his home. A native of Minden, Louisiana, he was born June 12, 1938, to William Nickolas, Sr. and Frances (Fuller) Love, one of three children. Jim, as he was known to many, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science from Centenary College of Louisiana and enjoyed a 37 year career with Sperry Corporation, beginning with his hiring in Louisiana in 1962 and ending with his retirement in 1999 from the Great Neck, L.I., N.Y. offices as Vice President of Personnel and Human Resources. Mr. Love moved to Lecanto in 1999 from Hempstead, L.I., NY and was an avid New York Yankees fan who also played semi-professional baseball as a young man. Shortly after his arrival in Citrus County, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, where he sang in the choir and also served as chair of the Arts Series. He also regularly pursued his passion for the game of golf as a member of Black Diamond Golf and Country Club. Mr. Love is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeannine Love, Lecanto, FL; daughters Melinda Lombardino (husband Brian), St. George Island, FL and Amy Love (husband Doug Holland), Shreveport, LA; brothers William Nickolas Love, Jr. (wife Kathy), Minden, LA and Terry Allen Love (wife Martha), Shreveport, LA; his six grandchildren: Elizabeth Clevenger (husband Devin), Yulee, FL; James Lombardino, Brooklyn, NY; Amanda Haacker-Hunt (wife Shelby Hunt) and William Haacker, both of Houston, TX; Ethan Holland, Shreveport, LA and Alec Holland (wife Miki), Portland, Oregon. Rev. Kip Younger will officiate a Memorial Service of Remembrance on Wednesday, September 6, 10:30 am at First United Methodist Church of Homosassa 8831 West Bradshaw, Homosassa, FL 34448. Inurnment at First United Methodist Church Columbarium will take place at a later date. Services entrusted to Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL. www.wilderfuneral.com In lieu of flowers, please donate to the FMUC-Homosassa’s Arts Series, UMCOR, or the charity of your choice.