GIDCOMB, SR. James “Jimmy” Edward of Nashville passed away on Friday, December 28, 2012 at the age of 82 after a long battle with pneumonia. He was born to the late Mattie Pearl Gidcomb and Ernest Monroe Gidcomb of Nashville. The love of his life was his wife of 56 years, Patricia “Patsy” Emily Hall Gidcomb, who passed away only 7 months ago. Jimmy has now gone to join her in Heaven. Jimmy was also preceded in death by his son, James Edward Gidcomb, Jr. and sister, Mary Gidcomb Whittaker. He is survived by his daughters, Rhonda Oldham (Bruce) of Gallatin and Patricia “Patty” Gidcomb of Nashville; his grandson, Nick Oldham of Gallatin; and his sister, Kathleen Marlin of Nashville. Jimmy was a lifelong sports fan beginning in his teen years when he was a batboy for the Nashville Vols at Sulfur Dell. He was a star catcher and leading hitter for the North High School baseball team and was also a standout player for Centenary Methodist Institute, where he was selected as MVP; the Nashville Tennessean Junior League; and the Red Sox minor league team in Morristown, Tennessee. He served his country with honor in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War. Jimmy was a firefighter for the Metro Fire Department, where he was famous for his ability to cook firehouse chili and spaghetti and also picked up the nickname “Sweets” due to his fondness for candy. He had risen through the ranks to become a Captain by the time he retired after 25 years of loyal service protecting the lives and property of Nashville citizens. Jimmy continued to serve others after his retirement as a volunteer for Second Harvest Food Bank. Jimmy’s love and devotion will be deeply missed by his daughters. He had a rough voice but a big heart. Jimmy did random acts of kindness that only his family knew about, such as buying a new pair of shoes for a child he saw walking past his home without any shoes. He had a special talent for repairing just about anything, and enjoyed fixing things for his family, friends and people in need. He was never one to show much emotion, but if he greeted you by saying, “Hey there, my good man,” you know he thought of you as a friend. Visitation will be at Eastland Funeral Home, 904 Gallatin Avenue in Nashville from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 and on Thursday from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., with funeral services to be held at the same location on Thursday, January 3, 2013, at 1:30 p.m., with Pastor John Swyer officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, with friends and family serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers you may send contributions to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Nashville. The family sends out special thanks to the staff at Trevecca Health & Rehab Center for the wonderful care they gave our father.
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