James Edward Capps

James Edward Capps, devoted family member and dear friend of many, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones and prayers from afar, when he drifted off to be with our Lord in Heaven on September 23, 2016, at the age of 88. Survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sue Ann Eriksen and Tim Lewis of Plant City, Florida, son and daughter-in law, Jim and Connie Capps of Sevierville, Tennessee, and granddaughter, Kristen Mariel Capps of Baltimore, Maryland. James, who was more commonly called by his middle name Ed, which was short for Edward, was born in Tampa, Florida on May 7, 1928 to parents Howard and Bernice Capps, and spent his childhood growing up in Tampa, Florida. After graduating from high school, Ed enlisted in the United States Navy, and then joined the Seabees, which was the Naval Construction Force, to serve his country during the Korean War until peace was declared. Ed was married to Evelyn Louise Thompson, and the couple settled in Tampa, Florida to raise their three children. Ed eventually moved the family to Saddleback Lake in Lutz, Florida, where he built a lakefront home for the family to enjoy until the children were grown and on their own. Ed and wife, Evelyn, had a love for the outdoors and gardening, and were very involved in many different types of dancing events until Evelyn’s passing in 1984. Ed and his family were active members of the First United Methodist Church of Tampa, Florida and the First United Methodist Church of Lutz, Florida. Ed worked thirty-four years for GTE Data Services as an Information Services Administrator until early retirement. After early retirement, Ed relocated to Plant City, Florida and returned back to work for The City of Plant City, Florida as the Purchasing Director. Ed was remarried to Marjorie in 1985, and he and Marjorie were very active until her passing in 2003. Ed and Marjorie shared a love of round-dancing, travelling, and nature. Ed was beloved by Marjorie’s children; Pat, Norman, Jeanne, and Virginia; grandchildren; Jay, Chris, Melissa, Temple, Sarah, Shaina, and Landon; great-grandchildren; Anthony, Vincent, Jack, Luke, Patrick, and Rhys. After retirement, Ed remained quite active and for many years he volunteered much of his spare time helping the Meals on Wheels Program deliver hot meals daily to those in need. Ed really enjoyed the outdoors and all its natural beauty, and especially enjoyed spending time exploring, hiking, and vacationing with his family in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, the Aska Adventure Area of Blue Ridge, Georgia, as well as the Naples, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island areas in his home state of Florida. Ed also was a very talented craftsman who enjoyed woodworking, making beautiful finished pieces of furniture starting from rough cut woods, and building, remodeling, or repairing most anything with his hands. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Bernice Capps, wife Evelyn Thompson Capps, wife Marjorie Capps, brother Beryl Capps, and son William Phillip Capps. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends Of The Smokies.org What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. - Helen Keller