James L. McLemore

Published 12:00 am Monday, June 9, 2003

James Latinus McLemore Jr. 90 passed away on June 9, 2003. He was a Suffolk native and son of the late Judge James L. McLemore and Mary Willis Pretlow McLemore.

He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Jane Coulbourn McLemore and their three children and seven grandchildren; James L. McLemore III and his wife, Marjorie R. McLemore, of Suffolk; their children, James L. McLemore IV, Lt. Thomas B. McLemore, U.S.N. and Sarah Elizabeth McLemore; Elizabeth McLemore White, and her husband, Albert S. White III of Poquoson and their daughter, Jane Garrett McLemore White; John Coulbourn McLemore, his wife, Lillian R

McLemore, of Norfolk, and their daughters, Maria Elizabeth McLemore, Ann Bolling McLemore and Katherine James McLemore; and two nieces, Mary Willis Matthews Park and Margaret Matthews Outland.

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Jimmy was a loyal alumnus of Randolph Macon College, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma social fraternity, and served on the college’s Board of Trustees. He attended the University of Virginia Law School and received his law degree from the University of Richmond Law School. He was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1938 and was a member of the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Bar Association a past president of the Suffolk-Nansemond County Bar Association.

In 1954, he joined the National Bank of Suffolk, a predecessor bank to Bank of America. He enjoyed being a community banker because it enabled him to serve the community, customers and employees of the bank. He retired in 1977 as a Senior Vice President of what was then Virginia National Bank.

To whom much has been given, much is expected. Throughout his life, Jimmy served his nation and community. He was a veteran of the Army and Navy and during World War II, he was stationed in India for 23 months as a Naval Intelligence Officer. His community activities included Scoutmaster of Troop I, Charter Member of the Suffolk Jaycees, Director of Suffolk Nansemond Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Salvation Army and, in 1950, chairman of

the Community Chest (United Way) Suffolk campaign. For over 57 years, he was a member of the Suffolk Rotary Club, and served as its president in 1962.

Jimmy served on the Suffolk Planning Commission and two terms on the Suffolk City Council (1963-1971), including its Vice Mayor. He served as Suffolk’s representative on the Tidewater Virginia Development Council, which was the area’s first regional economic development agency.

A lifelong member of Main Street United Methodist Church, Jimmy was also a member and teacher of the James L. McLemore Men’s Bible Class, and served several terms on the Church’s Administrative Board, serving for a time as its chairman.

Jimmy enjoyed hunting, fishing and particularly golfing. He was a director of the Suffolk Recreational and Charitable Association for over 20 years, and was a member and director of Cedar Point Country Club. He enjoyed the &uot;Jolly Boys&uot; and his coffee at the Crystal. He loved people and lived life to the fullest.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 11 at Main Street United Methodist Church by the Rev. Robert J. Parks and the Rev. Dr. Robert B. Marr. Visitation will be held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10 at the R.W. Baker Funeral Home, 509 W. Washington Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 202 N. Main St., Suffolk, Virginia 23434.