James Wheeler Blevins

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Carmen Blevins, and four children: LaRenda Stringer, Shane Blevins, Tatia Szymanski, and Jordan Wood. He also leaves behind four grandchildren including Jeffery Mitchell, Taylor Shipman, and Cameron Cooper, eight great grandchildren, and many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his three siblings: Junior Blevins, Jackie Blevins, and Glenda Greene-Hill.

James was born at Deerhead Cove in DeKalb County, Alabama on March 7th, 1936 to Leslie Blevins and Morean Burt. He also had a stepfather, Gus Burt. He was raised in Fort Payne, Alabama and lived most of his life there before retiring to Fairhope, Alabama.

James worked at Black Manufacturing for 33 years, starting as an upholsterer and later retiring as a supervisor. In his later years, James was confined to an electric wheelchair but he did not let that define who he was. He earned the moniker 'Pelican Man' around town after nursing an injured pelican back to health following Hurricane Ivan and could be found daily at the Fairhope Pier, where his beloved bird, Henry, would be waiting for him each morning. He enjoyed fishing, throwing his cast net, and tending to his vegetable garden every summer.

A memorial service will be held at the Fairhope Municipal Pier in Fairhope, Alabama on January 3rd, 2017 at 3:30pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the American Heart Association.

Arrangements by Ascension Funerals & Cremations, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.