in Coshocton, Ohio on May 25, 1952.
He had a childhood full of riding horses, tinkering with cars, playing Army and guitar. He graduated from Coshocton High School with the Class of 1971. To serve our country, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for four years as a diesel mechanic. After his honorable discharge, Jim moved to Florida to escape the snow in the north, living there the remainder of his life.
He married Linda Gail Bembry on September 13, 1977, who preceded him in death. They were fortunate to share over forty-four years together. He developed his own southern accent over the years with Linda's training. He loved eating Southern dishes, especially fried shrimp and boiled peanuts.
Jim loved his job working in sales for Snap-On Tools in the Florida and Georgia territories. He managed the Gulfstream Aviation sales account in Savannah for years and enjoyed sharing stories and “talking tools” with his mechanics and clients.
Jim was a faithful member of East Point Church, attending there until no longer able due to his illness.
Jim would want to be remembered as a friendly guy with a ready smile, and a love for living life to the fullest. He enjoyed cheering on his Florida Gators, he loved all water activities, mostly fishing and boating. Jim also enjoyed hunting at the farm and from a very early age loved cars, especially driving Chevys.
He loved his family and is survived by two sons, James W. Lillibridge, and Tyler S. Lillibridge, both of Jacksonville, Fl, two brothers Richard (Diana), and Kenneth (Bonnie) Lillibridge, two sisters Joyce (David) Zachrich and Linda (David) Arps, brother and sister-in-law Leonard (Susan) Bembry, sister-in-law Mary Bembry, five grandchildren, Emilie, Rhilee, and Brendan Lillibridge, and Brody and Evie Holzapfel, the mother of his grandchildren Kelly Holzapfel and her husband Jesse, both of whom have been an invaluable source of strength during this difficult time. Jim was blessed with many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Visitation will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00 – 10:30AM, with Chapel Service at 10:30 AM at Beaches Chapel By Hardage-Giddens, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, Fl 32250.
Graveside service and Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Jasper, Fl, 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim's memory to Wounded Warrior Project
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