James Thomas Daffron III

James Thomas Daffron III was peacefully called home to be with God on the morning of June 26, 2024. James had been living in Birmingham, Al, and surrounding areas since 1996. “Jimmy” was born on February 16, 1939, and very proud to be from Childersburg, AL.

Jimmy was an active Childersburg Tiger, graduating in 1959. From graduating high school, the next day Daffron joined the Navy. In the Navy, Jimmy was a torpedo operator while on the destroyer ship, USS Vogelgesang for 4 years. After being discharged from the Navy, Jimmy returned to his hometown where he accepted a job at the local papermill. In 1962, this began the start of a successful, 45-year career path working in the paper manufacturing industry. Due to the way Jimmy was raised and what he learned in the Navy, he developed a strong work ethic, communication skills and was a quick learner. James got promoted quickly and moved throughout the South working at several papermills including Kimberly Clark, Coosa Pines, AL; Southland Paper, Sheldon, TX; Nekoosa Paper, Ashdown, AR; Champion Paper, Courtland, AL and Weyerhaeuser, Columbus, MS. James’ final job was with Albany International traveling to papermills in the south as a specialized sales supplier before retiring in 2007. During this journey, while he was working in Courtland, AL, he met the love of his life at the local bank…” Kathie Keller the bank teller”. James quickly settled down, became a dedicated Christian family man and has been married to Kathie for 50 years.

James Daffron thrived on his families. He had his “blood” family, who he loved and was successful together with Kathie, raising his two children, DeeDee and J.T. James also had his “papermaker” family, who he also loved and worked proudly alongside several great teams for over four decades. Daddy enjoyed spending time with both families, working in the yard, going to church, traveling, and playing with his grandchildren.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Jacqueline (Dandy) and James Daffron II, along with his sister, Margaret Browning. James Daffron III is survived by his wife, Kathie Daffron of Trussville, AL; sister, Nancy Schoulin of Selma, AL; daughter, Dee Dee (Mike) Farnham of Helena, AL, grandsons, Seth and Aaron and granddaughter Sarah; son, J.T. (Carmen) Daffron IV of Trussville, AL.

On behalf of James, his wife Kathie and his children, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to his dear family and friends for the 85 years of love, care, kindness, and friendship. Daddy would not have been the man he was without you.