Mr. James Harris Etheridge, age 90, of Crandall passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023, at his home.
James was born on January 11, 1933 in Spring Place and was a 1950 graduate of Murray County High School.
He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, having served from 1952 until 1961. While in the Navy, he attended the US Naval School of Business. He was an assistant to trial counsel at the US Naval Station in San Diego, California, legal department assistant to the admiral on the USS Noble APA-218, and a staff member of the Amphibious Squadron Seven in the Pacific Fleet. He was in the Korean War and assisted with the evacuation of the Tachen Islands.
James attended Shorter College in Rome. He graduated from John Marshall Law School with a Master’s Degree in Law in 1962.
Through his younger years, James had many jobs all over the country and enjoyed them all. He loved to talk about them and all his adventures as a salesman for the Fuller Brush Company, professional proofreader with Stein Printing Company, claims adjuster, and faculty member of John Marshall Law School. He became employed with the Georgia Department of Labor as a field deputy and retired many years later.
James had many hobbies. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with Frank and Kenneth Ross and muzzle loader rifle matches in Friendship, Indiana, with Bob Wilson and other friends. His most loved hobby was his musical gift. He could play piano, guitar, and several other musical instruments, all of which he played by ear. He loved playing music and entertaining with his son, Ross, who plays banjo, and many other pickers. In 1981, he was named the International Guitar Champion at Ross Landing in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Of all his accomplishments in his long life of 90 years, the thing he was most proud of was his family. He was a wonderful and dedicated son, husband, dad, and friend.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joel Harris Etheridge; mother, Sara Mae Etheridge; brother, Charles Etheridge; sister, Lyndal Whitlock; and best friends, Frank and Kenneth Ross.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Etheridge; son and daughter-in-law, Ross and Allison Etheridge of Richmond Hill; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Philip Duvall of Calhoun; sister-in-law, Sylvia Etheridge of Chatsworth; grandchildren, Lily Etheridge, Max Etheridge, Zane Duvall, Paige Duvall, and Savannah Duvall; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Etheridge will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. James Smith and Mr. Jerry Bryson officiating. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 167 of Chatsworth.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 pm until the funeral begins at 4:00 pm.
Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. James Harris Etheridge.
