James David Cline

Aug. 1, 1915 - Aug. 8, 2014

Jim was born in Cowpens, SC. He and his family moved to Tampa in 1935. He worked in various jobs as a young man in Tampa including Swift and Co., Maas Bros., and Tampa Electric Co. Jim met and married the love of his life, Mabry Evelyn Sumner in 1939 while they both worked at TECO. They were married at Seminole Heights Methodist Church and were longtime members. Jim had joined the National Guard in Tampa in 1936 and was a member of B Co 116th FA Battalion eventually attending Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and received his commission in 1941. He served as an artilleryman in the Pacific Theater during WWII and served two tours in the Korean War. Retiring from the Army in 1960 at the rank of Colonel he obtained his degree at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. After working in a financial office with Russell Rittgers, in 1963 he began teaching at Hillsborough High School, then moved to Leto High School in 1965. In 1966 he began work at the University Of South Florida taking up a position with the Foundation. He then became a member of the sports department at the university and was a part of the formation of the basketball team. One of his achievements at USF was helping to establish the USF Credit Union. In 1978 he retired, but continued to be very active at Seminole Heights United Methodist serving in several positions. Jim also served as president of the Retired Officers Association for the MacDill chapter. In recent years he enjoyed being a member of the Lt. Baldomero Lopez, MOH, Chapter 175, Tampa, Fl of the Korean War Veterans’ Association. Mabry and Jim both were heavily involved with the Florida Genealogical Society for years and both served as president at various times. They were active bridge players and Jim loved to get on a golf course at least once a week. However, along with all of the above, Jim and Mabry always had time to care for elderly members of their family when needed. After Mabry's passing in 2004, Jim moved to Pinecrest Place in Largo, which just happened to have a golf course next door. Jim became a member of Anona United Methodist Church. He enjoyed life at Pinecrest and in 2012 took up residence with his son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Darlene Cline also in Largo. It was there that he passed this past Friday, one week past his 99th birthday.

Jim was pre-deceased by Mabry, his wife of 64 years; parents Sarah Elizabeth Green and David Gilliard Cline; 3 sisters: Iris Blasky; Aleida Northrup; Evelyn Glass; and 2 brothers Gilliard (Budge) and Walter (Pete) Cline. He is survived by a sister, Sara Belkof Ocala, 2 sons James David (Dave) , II (Darlene) and Herbert (Hub) Raymond Cline (Kathy); 1 granddaughter: Eve Toomepuu; 4 grandsons: Jamie, Heath, Hayden, and John Cline; 5 great grandchildren, Bryan Mabry, Brooke, Nikki and Ally Cline, and Will Toomepuu; 1 great great granddaughter, Brenna Cline; 6 nieces: Doris Morrison, Lynn Corazao, Elaine Elsberry, Linda Lewis, Janice Edison, and Mary Beth Sanders; and 6 nephews: Gene, Carl, Dan, and Walt Cline, Richard and Michael Belk.

Services will be held Saturday, Aug 16th, at Garden of Memories Funeral Home 4207 East Lake Ave., Tampa, Fl. Visitation will be from 2 - 3 p.m. Services at 3 p.m. with interment to follow at the Myrtle Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Fl 33760.