James Bright Magill

James Bright Magill, age 79 of Largo, FL passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2014 after a long, courageous battle with ALS. Jim was born on July 4, 1934. He was the son of the late Ora Basil and Sally Jenkins Magill and grew up in Salisbury and Concord, NC.

Jim graduated high school in 1953 and completed a year in the National Guard. He attended Clemson University and played trombone in the Tiger Band. In 1956 he joined the U.S. Army and served in Germany in the 25th Signal Battalion. In 1961, Jim was Honorably Discharged from the Army and graduated Clemson with a B.S. in Education.

Following college and discharge from the Army, Jim took a high school teaching job in Punta Gorda, FL. There he met and married Shirley Jean Lampkin, who was also a teacher. Jim and Shirley relocated to the Tampa Bay area in 1964 and to Largo in 1969. Jim became the science teacher at Pinellas Park Middle School, retiring from there in 1994.

Jim joined the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1972 where he served as a Construction Electrician and achieved the rank of C.P.O. in the Seabees. He retired from the Navy in 1994.

Jim was an avid reader and military historian. He enjoyed time with family, traveling, and geology, collecting rocks everywhere he went.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife Shirley and his two brothers, Col. Henry F. Magill and Herbert (Bob) B. Magill.

Jim is survived by his loving children, Sally Mathias (Douglas) of Birmingham, AL, Patrick Magill (Pam) of Palm Bay, Michael Magill (Diana) of Holiday, and Molly Hardman (Reid) of Lake Wales; and grandchildren, Ian and Gavin Magill; Megan, Mallory, and Mason Mathias; and Mary Leigh and Streaty Hardman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association Florida Chapter at:

3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619

http://webfl.alsa.org/site/PageServer/?pagename=FL_homepage

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Road Largo, FL 33774.