James Coley Embry, Jr was born August 28, 1924 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the eldest of four sons born to Ira Gardiner and James Coley Embry, Sr. James “Jim” Embry, Jr enlisted in the Army with a self-adjusted age; which he later confessed and corrected. He served in WWII under General Patton, driving a fuel tanker to the front lines and went ashore at night midst death and destruction upon the beaches of Normandy. After years of service, he reenlisted in the Army Air Corps; which later became the US Air Force. He served in the Vietnam War, stationed at Nah Trang. After serving 32 years in the military, he began working for Sunbeam Bread Company for 29 years. Outside of his careers, he had the honor of being selected as a Kentucky Colonel.

During his prestigious military career, Jim was a family man. He was married to Shirley Phillips Cahal on April 12, 1950 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was the father of two sons and a daughter. After the death of Shirley, he met and married Nadene Poole Rogers on February 7, 1975 in Blakely, Georgia. He became step-father to two sons and a daughter. Jim and Nadene were members of Cinco Baptist Church for over forty years, where he has served as Deacon as well as on the finance committee.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers (Edward, Robert and David), first wife (Shirley), step-mother (Nellie), son (James), grandson (Shawn), and step-son (Larry). He is survived by wife, Nadene, son Michael Embry, daughter Brenda Hemmer (Allen), daughter Joyce Miller (Raymond), son Jerry Rogers, sisters Marlene Howard and Donna Thompson (Jesse), step-brother Alan Dillard and brother Richard Embry, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

James C. Embry Jr. was known to many as Jim, Sarge, Papa, and Papa Jimbo. All who knew him knew he was a loving and faithful man, a living example of Christ’s love and forgiveness, always serving and helping others, and a very humble man.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Cinco Baptist Church “Property Purchase” at 26 Yacht Club Drive NE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.

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