Jimmy was born on February 25, 1933, in Jacksonville, Florida, to the late Percy Jefferson and Sarah Eleanor Fales. A native of Jacksonville his entire life, Jimmy served in the US Coast Guard Reserves and started his career employed by Seaboard Railroad as a fireman.
In January 1955, he married the love of his life, the late Juanita “Nita” Marie Phillips. As a husband and father, he returned to finish his college degree and then joined BellSouth (AT&T) as a lineman. His love of electrical engineering, circuitry, and teaching allowed him to serve many roles at AT&T, until his retirement in 1991, although he continued to serve as a consultant to AT&T until 1999.
Jimmy enjoyed playing the piano, dancing the beach bop, and weightlifting. In his late 40’s, he even detached a retina, bench-pressing 450 pounds. As a younger man, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and played golf into his late 70s.
Jimmy was a beloved and loving husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving wife; Nita, and their young son; James Kevin. He is survived by his sons; Mark (Ellen), Craig, Brett (Julie), and Lance (Lisa); and four grandchildren; Timothy, Cameron, Austin, and Lexie.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, August 22, 2019, from 6 to 8 pm at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, located at 7242 Normandy Boulevard, 32205. A celebration of life service will occur on Friday, August 23, 2019 from 10 to 11am, also at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, followed immediately by a graveside service at 11am in Riverside Memorial Park.
