Jimmy Claire Lemon, husband, father, grandfather, North Korean War Navy Vet, IBM professional, General Contractor, passed away at 83 on Friday, April 20, 2018, at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born in Newport, AR to the late James and Mary Lemon. He served 4 years in the Navy during the Korean War when he designed computers for the Military. He was a talented mathematician and after graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering, from Rolla Missouri School of Mines, he worked with IBM where he was a key engineer in micro-programming the missile guidance computer for Titan Missile II for the Saturn V rocket used to launch Skylab 1, the first American space station, also used in the Apollo 11 mission which put Neal Armstrong on the moon. While working with IBM, he became interested in building, and successfully built his own home in Fort Smith, AR. Eventually he left IBM and became a successful contemporary home builder in Cary, North Carolina where he built many homes in Macgregor Downs, Lochmere, Wessex, and other subdivisions in Cary as well as Raleigh. He finally let his contractor's license go when he was 81, having his hand in either building or roofing until then. He had an adventurous spirit, sailed his 40' Tashiba in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, camped via 5th wheel in many states throughout the US and hiked with his family in many of the national parks. In his last years he became a well-known "visitor" at Glenaire, a retirement community where his wife, a nurse practitioner, provides care for their residents. He made many friends at Glenaire, who surely will miss him.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his brother, George Lemon.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sharie; Daughters, JoBeth Rayborn and husband Stephen; Kara Ross and husband Eric; Melea Lemon; Jaimie Lemon; Son, James Curtis Lemon; grandchildren, Aaron Rayborn, Taylor and Brandon Ross, Sarah and William Dugger, Gerry, Kennedy, Kathryn and Caroline Felton; step-son, Brian Gonzales and wife Katie; step-daughter, Shaina Felton and husband Gerry, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was a firm believer in Christ, involved in prison ministries and was a long term member at Colonial Baptist Church. He loved scripture and one of his favorite verses is below.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of your-selves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we could walk in them. Ephesians 2: 8-10
A memorial service will be held 2 PM, Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511. The family will receive friends following the service.
The family has requested that donations may be sent to the Grace Promise ministry at Colonial Baptist Church, 6051 Tryon Road, Cary, NC 27518.
Online condolences may be made at BrownWynneCary.com
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, SE Maynard Road, Cary.
