James E. Sizemore

Jim was born in West Virginia on August 13, 1937. His love of the outdoors, particularly fishing, drew from his childhood experiences in the mountains of West Virginia.

He married Ellen Manchen on July 10, 1958, in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Jim was multi-talented and a natural leader. He served in the United States Army as a Paratrooper and quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant.

The birth of his first child led him to forego a career in the military. Upon his honorable discharge, he labored as a journeyman carpenter. He eventually relocated to Tampa, Florida where he was employed with Paul Smith Construction. It was in that role that he traveled to Somalia and supervised in the construction of a port facility. Jim returned to Tampa the following year, and eventually formed his own construction company, Sizemore Specialty Contracting Company, in 1983. The company grew quickly with Jim serving as president, averaging $3.5 million in sales. Sizemore Specialty Contracting played an instrumental role in the growth of Tampa, laying down concrete for many of buildings in and around the downtown area.

Jim had an adventurous spirit and retained his love of the outdoors throughout his life. He had a wonderful sense of humor and possessed a rare charisma that led people to gravitate to him. Jim was a devoted family man, beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was a surrogate father to Earl, Todd and Mark Scime, and J.J. Aquilar. A devout Baptist, Jim lived a Christian life of service and generosity. His memory will forever be in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Jim is preceded in death by his sisters Betty, Bonnie, Maxine and Janet.

Jim is survived by his wife Ellen, his eldest daughter Lynn Dillenbeck and her husband Bruce Dillenbeck, his younger daughter Kathy Mercade and her husband Ollie Mercade, and his grandsons Joshua Abbey, Andrew Dillenbeck and Jarrod Abbey.

Visitation will be 12:45 to 1:45, Thursday, July 28 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, Azalea Chapel.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 Thursday, July 28, at Garden of Memories.