James F. Lassiter

October 5, 1937 – June 17, 2019

Jim Lassiter passed away peacefully with his wife and children by his side, on Monday morning, June 17th, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.

Jim led an adventurous and passionate life, but he was most proud of his family. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Sally, for nearly 63 years, and together they had three children - Barbara (Ken), Kathy, and Jim Jr. (Terri). Their family expanded with 6 grandchildren (Danielle, Ryan, Danny, Andrew, Cori & James). And then came 8 great grandchildren (Tyler, Haleigh, Jackson, Tristan, Carter, Harrison, Elena & Delila) who brought so much joy to his life.

Jim was predeceased by his loving parents, John and Anne Lassiter, and younger brother Donny; and he is survived by his brothers, John (Sid) and Gene.

Jim had a 30 year career with the City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Department, where he rose to the rank of Battalion Chief, retiring in 1987. He came from a family of firefighters. The son of John, Fire Chief for the City of Dania Beach. Two of the Lassiter brothers joined him on the FLFD; Ret. Lt. John (Sid) and Ret. Lt. Don. He was father to Ret. Lieutenant, Jim Lassiter, of Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, and father-in-law to Ret. Battalion Chief Dan Hanes (deceased) FLFD. Jim’s fire service legacy continued when his grandson, Andrew Hanes, became a Firefighter with Lehigh Acres Fire Control District, and his grandson-in-law, Chase Dopson, joined the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Department a short time later.

Although the fire service was dear to Jim’s heart, upon his retirement in 1987 he and Sally embarked on a journey that began in Indian Hammock in Okeechobee, FL. After many years there, they set out on a 10 year adventure touring every nook and cranny of this country in their RV.

Jim and Sally eventually settled in Blairsville, Georgia, where they spent the last 20 years entrenching themselves in the community, and making many long and lasting friendships. Jim and Sally served on the Board of their Property Owners’ Association, from 2004-2017, and he and Sally were recently recognized for their selfless stewardship of their community with the naming and dedication of “Lassiter Park” in their beloved Laurel Brooke Community last October, 2018. And November 26th, 2018 was officially named “Jim and Sally Lassiter Day” in Union County Georgia, in further recognition of their service and the strong community fibers they wove in the fabric of North Georgia.

Jim’s life will be honored with a brief service on Sunday, June 30th, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Royal Fiesta Event Center, 1680 SE 3rd Court (Cove Shopping Center), Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, immediately followed by a celebration of his life that will continue until 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s memory, to LUNGevity Foundation, 228 S. Wabash Avenue, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60604 or online at Lungevity.org