Obituary
James “Jim” Dalrymple, 91, of The Villages, Florida passed away on Christmas Day 2018 after a short and hard-fought battle with aspiration pneumonia. He loved God and his family.
Jim was born on Jan 2, 1927 in Philadelphia to James and Martha Dalrymple. He grew up in Ft Thomas Ky and while in high school became an accomplished musician playing trumpet and French horn in local bands of the time. He spent a term at the University of Cincinnati where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He interrupted his education to enlist in the Navy as soon as he was old enough to serve in WW2. He and his wife, Jane, met while he was in the last year of service. They were soon married and immediately reenrolled at the University of Cincinnati where the young couple met the challenges of studying electrical engineering and living on a shoestring. He never tired of telling her that he loved her and that was one of the last things he said.
During his engineering career he worked for Martin Marietta, Honeywell, and the federal government. This allowed them to live in various locations in Florida and Maryland. After retirement they moved to The Plantations in Georgia and finally to The Villages where they could enjoy their favorite pastime, golf. He said life in The Villages is like living in Disney World for adults.
He tried golf as a young man and found that he liked it, later becoming an accomplished player. The best thing he liked about the game is that he found he could play with Jane, and they were a team on and off the course playing in all the locations they lived over the next 60 years. His last game was only 2 months ago.
Jim was also an instrument rated private pilot who really enjoyed the freedom of flight and flew the family to several locations and vacation spots. His engineer’s mind never stopped as he setup his own computer, bought a smartphone and learned how to use it, and worked on different methods to improve his quality of life.
Before retirement he taught a boys Sunday School class and in The Villages found a wonderful and loving church, Immanuel Baptist. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jane Dalrymple, his daughter Sharon Palmer, and his son James Dalrymple. He has eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2019, 2PM at Immanuel Baptist Church, 8015 SE 180th Street, Oxford. In lieu of flowers please donate in Jim’s honor to The American Bible Society.
Service
8015 SE 180th Street, Oxford, FL 34484
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