James Thomas Potter

POTTER, James T. was born July 11, 1934, in Brentwood, PA to the late Dorothy McAteer and James Potter and Died February 1, 2023, in Apopka, FL surrounded by his loved ones. He is proceeded in death by his son Nicholas Potter and his Aunt Vida Sullivan whom he adored; with certainty they are celebrating in Heaven today. Jim leaves behind his wife Cheryl Potter, married 44 years, they share a very special love. He was a loving Father to his surviving seven children, from his first wife Jean Potter: (sons and daughters) James Potter (Judy), Terry Potter, Michael Potter, David Potter (Debbie), Cindy Trent, Anna Potter, and Jody Shirley (Brad). He was a grandfather to 19 Grand Kids, 29 Great Grand Kids and 5 Great Great Grand Kids.

Jim grew up in the Pittsburg area, graduated from Brentwood High School in 1952, he attended Penn State and worked in the family bakery. In 1962 he moved to Florida and began a career in the defense business, continued his education at USF and worked for Honeywell for 25 years. He was the President of ISG a startup company that he helped form. He also spent 13 years with Northrop Grumman Laser Systems in Apopka, where he met several very close friends.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Although he enjoyed golfing Jim’s real passion was collecting guns and sharing his knowledge through education and training others as an NRA instructor, at his gun shop that he operated in Apopka. He took great interest in teaching his grandsons about gun safety as well as sharing his engineering knowledge with them. His Tesla Coil (after his namesake) offered great lessons to many of his grandchildren and throughout the local community. Jim also carried on the family tradition of baking, never passing up an opportunity to share his skills with anyone interested in learning to bake.

He is best known for his wine making abilities and his desire to keep his group of friends together through their locally established “Friendship Wine Club” with meeting often held at Jim and Cherie’s home, together they were the ultimate hosts for such gatherings. This is a tradition I’m sure that will continue in his memory.

He loved spending time with family and especially with the love of his life, his wife Cherie. They traveled together over the years, enjoyed seeing out of the way places, driving for miles to visit a small restaurant in the middle of nowhere. We learned that it wasn’t how far we were going but how long it took to get there because he always had to take the scenic route. He enjoyed good music, his favorite being Polka music.

So, as we say so long to “Big Jim” let’s raise a toast to him, play “Who Stole the Kishka” and always take the scenic route…

A visitation for James will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759 with a funeral service starting at 1:30 pm and graveside to follow.