Jack "Jackie" Pettus James, Jr.

Jack “Jackie” Pettus James, Jr. age 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Monday, March 6, 2023. He was born April 21, 1944, in Bartow, FL, to Jack Pettus and Elizabeth Oates James. Jackie graduated from Summerlin Institute, class of 1962, where he played football, sang in the Glee Club, was a member of FFA, and began dating the love of his life, Betty Evelyn Trask. Jackie graduated from The Marion Military Institute, class of 1964, and Florida Southern College, class of 1967, where he received the Citrus Mutual Award for Outstanding Citrus Student. With farming in his blood, Jackie raised Brahmans and other cattle, grew citrus, cabbage plants, peppers plants, strawberries, sod, and then blueberries and bamboo. Jackie was the third generation of James Farm, established in 1901. He served on the Board of Polk County Farm Bureau Agency for many years. Jackie was well respected and admired in the agricultural community for his knowledge of farming, and his ability to teach others as he faithfully strived to stay on top of his field. An avid hunter, Jackie spent countless seasons at the Yeehaw Junction family camp and took extraordinary hunting trips out west. He spent every summer at Crooked Lake, entertaining friends and family with many boating adventures, firework shows, and famous BBQs. Jackie shared his secret recipe vinegar sauce with son John and his wife Linda as they established Curly Tails BBQ. He greatly treasured time with his hometown family, as well as his “Mountain Family” (neighbors) in Waynesville, North Carolina. He was a lifetime member of the ARP church, where his grandfather served as pastor from 1928-1943. He sang in the choir, keeping robe number 23 from high school until present day. As Deacon in the 70s, Jackie served as chairman during extensive remodeling. Later as an Elder, he had strong influence in the church and community, and formed a unique bond with the present pastor, Tanner Cline. Jackie will be greatly missed for his happy personality and encouraging spirit he so generously shared with his friends and family. He had a quick wit and a special talent for giving affectionate nicknames to those loved. As patriarch of the James family, Jackie had tremendous influence on his children and grandchildren, of whom he was very proud. Jackie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bet Trask James, two sons, Jack "JP" James, III (Janet Elliotte), John James (Linda Pipping), daughter, Evelyn Greear (Will Greear), a sister, Martha Lee Gibbons of Tampa, six grandchildren: Jack James, Andy James, Beverly Greear, Jay Greear, Betty Greear, and Elizabeth James. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Samuel James. After losing his short battle with cancer, Jackie passed away peacefully and is laid to rest wearing his hunting boots. Family will receive friends Friday, March 10th, 2023, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Bartow. The funeral service will be held Friday, March 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Interment will be held at Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.