James Colyer

James F. Colyer was born in Asheville, NC on March 26, 1908. He passed away at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, FL on November 11, 2010. Everyone from his children and grandchildren to friends and neighbors called him Jimbo.

Jimbo moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1909 and spent his young years in that city. He graduated from the high school, Duval County High in 1926. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He moved to central Florida in the late 1930s and to Winter Haven in 1940, bringing his beloved wife, Mildred home to Winter Haven as a bride. They were married for 62 years before her death in 2002. He often commented, “Mildred put up with me for 62 years” and felt her loss keenly.

He worked as a salesman and manufacturers rep throughout his working life. After moving back to Florida in 1938 he spent the next 45 years traveling the state designing and selling heavy pumps, scales, and irrigation systems to commercial concerns.

Jimbo’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by four children, Fairlie Bagley, Darien Johnson (John), Jim Colyer (Jean), and Tyler Colyer (Susan). He had 6 grandchildren, Elizabeth Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Tom Colyer, Brian Colyer, Kimberly Colyer, and Katherine Colyer. He also had one great-grandson, Cameron James Colyer and another expected next year. He was proud of each and every one of them. Jimbo will be sorely missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven, FL.