CPO James Jackson Deese, USN (Ret.)

August 1, 1927 - September 21, 2007

Mr. James Jackson Jim Deese, 80, formerly of Jacksonville, Florida and a resident of Bestview Drive in Columbia, died Friday, September 21, 2007 at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville. Full military services will be conducted Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. by the United States Navy Honor Guard at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The Duval County, Florida native was the son of the late William Leon Deese and Sarah Emily Wamsley Deese. He was married to the late Mary Elizabeth Paige Hodges Deese. He was a retired Chief Petty Officer in United States Navy after 22 years of service having tours of duty during World War II and the Korean Conflict. In addition to his military life, he was a manager of Biff Burger in Jacksonville, manager of Sunoco Service Station, employee of McQuay-Norris Auto Parts Warehouse, security guard at the Coliseum in Jacksonville, and an employee of Blevins Popcorn. He also made his home in Mountain Home, North Carolina for several years. He had a deep passion for nature, especially the ocean. He was a member of Main Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He is survived by four daughters, Yvonne (Robert) Bliss of Newport,NC, Peggy (Dennis) Genebach of Sandy, Utah; Teresa Renee (Michael) Brown of Gulf Breeze, Florida; Judy Joette (Gary J.) Owens of Jay, Florida; ten grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; nieces, Emily (Bobby) Rigdon of Jacksonville, Florida; Rebecca A. McClure of Columbia, Tennessee; Sarah Adeline (Ken V., Jr.) Bennett of Disputonta, Virginia; nephews, David (Bonita) McClure of Greeneville, South Carolina; Joe McClure of Jacksonville, Florida, and Thomas Leon Deese of Prince Trail, Virginia. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jeanette Deese McClure, and a brother, William Laton Deese. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heritage-fhcs.com.