Mrs. Etherton, Jay and Stacey,
I was so sorry to learn recently of Mr. Etherton's passing. He was a great leader and teacher.
I was one of those fortunate band students who had Mr. E for six years straight from Warrington JH to Escambia HS.
He helped me get through those years as I was not much of a musician but at least I appreciated music and he had the confidence in me that I needed to be able to contribute. His confidence and trust in you made you want to do your best and to not let him down.
Frankly, I still judge every marching band I see at any level by the standards he instilled in us at Escambia. He showed us what could be done if we put our hearts and souls into the performance.
It is a lesson I have tried to apply in everything I have done since then.
I hope you are doing well as I will always remember you and Jim fondly.
Take care.

Dear Sandra,

Just received a note from Marsha today.  We are so very sorry to hear of Jim's passing.  You can be so proud of the wonderful life you shared together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Will get in touch with you shortly.

Love,

Phil and Joyce

Dear Sandy:
I just heard about Jim's passing from Bob Whitmore. I was teaching voice/choral at PJC when Jim joined our faculty in the late sixties and we quickly became friends. I appreciated Jim's approach to teaching and his excellent musicianship however his sense of humor was what I liked most.  We had alot of fun together in the short time he was my colleague. As you may remember, I left PJC in 1971 and went to PA. and a position at Slippery Rock University. As is usually the case, we lost contact at that time.

I lost my wife JoAnn this past Nov., so I have great empathy for what you're going through right now.  It's still very fresh in my mind. Jim was a warm, kind, talented, intense,funny guy. May God give you stength to carry you through this trying time.
Chet O'Bannon

Mr Etherton, 
  You were my high school band teacher and music theory teacher.  I shared 4 years of music with you & you taught me to always expand my horizons.  Because of your encouragement, I played the  Eb clarinet in Concert band & Alto Sax in Jazz Band.  Later in life we became friends again thru the Civic Band & Don Snowden.  Even then you encouraged me to come & play.  I will miss you but I know that you are in a greater place.  Peace to you and your Family during this difficult time.  Charlotte Mateo Mackey

I knew Jim through the Civic Band and I held him in great regard as a fellow trumpet player and as a fellow music educator. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. Know that he influenced and touched hundreds of lives while he was here with us on earth. My prayers to the family as they go through this tough time.

Sorry to here of Mr. Etherton's passing. He was a great musician, teacher and tremendous figure in Pensacola's musical life. May he rest in peace. 

Steve Williams on behalf of the Grier M. Williams family

I am one of Mr. Etherton's many former music students and am very saddened by his passing.  Mr. Etherton had a profound influence on the Pensacola musical community and was himself a very fine musician.  He was my orchestra director at Warrington JH and later at Escambia High until I graduated in 1964.  He provided me with endless opportunities for my personal growth as a musician and drilled into me the need for a high standard of excellence in rehearsals and performance.  I remember him as very meticulous and precise during practice, stopping to fix every wrong note or nuance.  That's why his groups always won high honors at festivals!  Mr. Etherton also contributed in a huge way to my career as a professional violinist.  He encouraged me to seek out the finest private teachers, develop my craft and pass on what I knew to others.  That's Mr. Etherton's legacy!  He will always be remembered by those of us who were fortunate enough to benefit from his training.  Rest in peace, "Mr. E".  Sincerely, Joyce (Hernandez) Watson

To Sandy, Jay, and Stacy 
I am so saddened to hear of Jim's death. I am a former music student [violin and viola] of "Mr. Etherton."  I began music with him in I believe in 1957 or 1958 at Warrington Junior HIgh and then he followed us on to Escambia High School and we were blessed to have another 3 years!  We that grew up with him, loved him dearly!  I will always be grateful he touched my life in a way that I never thought could happen, and that is with MUSIC!!  He will be greatly missed by many who knew him.  My love and sympathy to you Sandy!

Judi [La Fleur] Schultz
One of the "Mighty Mites."

Dear Mrs. Etherton & family,

Mr. Etherton was my flute teacher at PJC in the early 70's, & though I was not his best student; his patience, knowledge & love for music will made a lasting impact on me.
Prayers & Blessings...

Jim was a great person and enjoyed him as a friend and customer of John Kizziah State Farm.  He was a dear friend of the Kizziah's and I worked with them for 31 years.  Jim was always cheery and a great person.  

Dot Horton, former employee of the Kizziah's (both father and son).  You are in our prayers and know you will miss him.

Mrs. Etherton, Jay, and Stacy,
The Gorday family extends our deepest sympathy to you all in the passing of Mr. Etherton. You were all such great neighbors.  I can still see Mr. Etherton on his daily walks listening to his music.  Please know that you are all in our prayers. 
 Ann Gorday Dungan and the entire Gorday family

I am so sorry to read of Jim's passing. I was one of the incredibly fortunate band & orchestra students who had Jim from the 7th grade at Warrington Jr. High through graduation from Escambia in 1965. Not only did he instill in me a love of music, which I still have today, but he taught me the value of discipline, hard work and striving for excellence. As a result, so many of us experienced the sheer joy of accomplishment, whether it was a great halftime show, a standing ovation at a concert, or a multitude of superior ratings at regional & state contests. Jim was one of the most influential men in my life behind my father, and I have long considered it a blessing and honor to have one of his students. 
Mrs. Etherton, Stacey & Jay, may God bless and comfort each of you.

Dan Liane

Mrs. Etherton, Stacy, and Jay - We are so sorry to hear about your husband/father.  He was such a special person.  Always seemed full of life and always smiling.  He will be remembered and missed greatly.  We love you guys.    April McDaniel, Dot Bevan and families

Mr. Etherton was my Music Humanities teacher at PJC and Mrs. Etherton, you were my third grade teacher at Warrington Elementary.  I am sorry for your loss and you and your family will be in my prayers.  I'm also sorry for our loss as a community and as musicians.

My condolences to the family.  I knew Jim as the Band Director at Escambia High School during 1966-1968 (Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band).  I remember Jim spending hours in his office designing the steps and shows for the Marching Band.  He was a great mentor for the members of the Jazz Band.  He taught us how to "Swing" and lead us to more than a few award winning performances.

Music has been a major influence in my life - and I owe much of my successes to the discipline taught by Jim in performing music.  As he said "Getting 95% of the notes right is not enough - you neeed to be at 100%".

I enjoyed working under Jim E's Baton at PJC and will never forget that he was instrumental in providing me with my College scholorship. My heartfelt condolences to Jims family, friends, co-workers and students, which he had thousands.

I was sorry to learn of Jim's passing.  I enjoyed my two years ('75-'77) of playing in the Intercollegiate Band under his direction.  I know that he will be missed by many.  May God bless and comfort his family.

Mr. Etherton was a kind, talented and loving person. Our thoughts are with Mrs. Etherton, Stacy and Jay. Bless you all. Love, Suzanne Meador Rathje

OBITUARY

James Robert Etherton III

May 20, 1933 – October 28, 2011

Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel & Bayview Memorial Park

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