He was born and raised in Greene County; he was in the first graduating class of Chuckey Doak High School in 1960.
Jim joined the Marine Corps in June 1960 and was stationed at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. During his time in the service he was awarded the following medals: Good Conduct Medal (1st awarded) and Marksman Badge (M-14 Rifle). He was actively deployed for combat in April 1961 for the “Bay of Pigs”; was honorably discharged April 1963 not serving full four years, due to his high score on his entrance exam.
The Marine Corps’ motto of Semper Fi, he exhibited in his everyday life. He was always there and willing to help anyone in need.
Retired from Phillips Consumer Electronics (aka Magnavox) after 45 years of service.
During his time in the Marine Corps, he met the love of his life, Vivian R. (Broach) Ramsey. They married July 1965. She preceded him in death on January 7, 2012.
Survivors are a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Aundrea Ramsey; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer (Ramsey) and Bobby Holt; granddaughters, Laura Ramsey and Amanda Ramsey and great granddaughters, Aurora Ramsey and Remy Pierce; grandsons, Sean and Lindsey Holt, Bradley Holt, James Maggard and Joseph Maggard; great grandson, Wyatt Holt; sisters and a brothers-in-law, Barbara and Jack Saulsbury and Margaret and Paul Harris; sister-in-law, Thelma De Angelis of Graniteville, South Carolina; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bobby and Lynn Broach and Tommy and Sandra Broach of Graniteville, South Carolina; aunts, Virginia Ramsey and Esther Drew; family and friends he loved like brothers, Jack Saulsbury, Gary Black, Bill Huff, James Huff, Gene Shelton and Nelson Mitchem, as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
He was the son of the late Roy and Queen Ramsey; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert H. Sr. and Helen Broach; brother, Charles Cecil Ramsey; sister, Rose Ramsey; brothers-in-law, Jerry DeAngelis and Wyatt Joseph Broach, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Juanita Ramsey and Lynn Broach; nephews, Wyatt Joseph “Bud” Broach, Jr and Roy Paul Stanton; granddaughter, Taylor Lee Williams; lifelong friends, Lloyd “Burlin” Shelton, Dennis Fillers, Raymond Fillers, J.C. Pack, Neil Fillers and Mack Mitchell.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 8 pm in the Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Bobby Broach officiating.
The graveside service will be held on Wednesday at 2 pm in Graceland Memory Garden. The Greeneville-Greene County Honor Guard and the U. S. Marine Corp will provide military services. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 1 pm to go in procession to the cemetery.
Pallbearers are Joseph Maggard, Bryan Ramsey, Mason Ramsey, Hayden Sampson, Keith Sampson, Bradley Holt, Sean Holt and Eric Fillers.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Brad Strange, Dr. Benjamin T. Bailey, Gary Black, Jack Saulsbury, Bill Huff, James Huff, Jim Cureton, Bobby Ramsey and Scott Lee.
The family wishes to offer a special thanks to Dr. Brad Strange, Joy Tweed, Dr. Benjamin T. Bailey, the staff of Smokey Mountain Hospice, Chrysta Long, R.N. and Chaplain Steve Blanchard.
Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.
Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home
125 Idletime Drive, Greeneville, TN, 37743
423-636-8007
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