Jimmy Hathcock's Obituary
Jimmy “Uncle Jim” Hathcock, 79, died Dec 2, 2022. Jim was born in Sylvester, GA. He was a long-time resident of Pinellas County, where he managed Joyland, was lead singer of Jim Lamar and the Jimboes, and was owner of Bar-J Auto Hauling.
Jim was considered a medical miracle in 2009 after being on a ventricular support device that worked as an external heart. His heart was able to heal and beat on its own, allowing him to come off the heart transplant list. Jim was thankful to Dr. Sheffield and the staff at Tampa Genera for allowing him 13 more years with his loving family after his initial heart attack.
Jim is survived by his one true love of 44 years, his lady, Barbara Martini. He is also survived by his son Jimmy Hathcock (Carol); Brother-in-Law Charlie Martini (Fran); Nieces Coleen Grimes (Gene), Marci Hinton (Ryan), Melissa Nichols (Reggie), Melynda Collette (Nick), Samantha Martini, Payge Dupre, Madilyn Nichols and Joleigh Hinton; Nephews Jacob Zdan, Taeler Dupre (Shelby), Hunter Dupre, Wyatt Hinton, Trevor Hinton, and Miles Collette.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy Hathcock and Jim Hathcock, and (Mom & Pop) Agnes “Nudie” Martini and Arthur “Big Arty” Martini, his nephew Chuck Martini and one of his best friends and the original “Hoss” his nephew Bruce Maxwell. Jim loved his family; they were his world. He loved Florida State University football, he loved all animals, from neighborhood raccoons to turtles crossing the road. Jim was a talented singer and loved country music. On occasion, his friends and family could still convince him to pull out his guitar and get him to sing “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile” or “On the Road Again.” Jim loved to tell stories about the times that he traveled with the band. He never rode the rides, but he loved taking the family to Disney, Sea World and Busch Gardens because watching the kids have fun brought him joy. Jim always put others first, his heart was huge and there was not a person who met him that he didn’t do something good for. He had a special relationship with his nieces and nephews that many will never understand as he was more like their father/grandfather. None of them would be where they are today without the love and support, he provided.
Jim worked until he no longer physically could. He was the life of the party, always had a joke and a way to make everyone smile. He was a special soul. You didn’t have to be family for him to love you; he just loved, and if he really loved you, you were a “Hoss.”
In his final days he was surrounded by his family, band members and old friends. He laughed and sang up until just an hour before he took his final breath and his heart of gold stopped beating. Jim was greeted at the gates of heaven with a welcoming by his Mom and Dad who told him they may have left him at a young age but he made them proud, and “Mom & Pop” who thanked him for taking care of their daughter Barbara and all of their family. He was reunited with his favorite dogs, “Bear”, “Missi”, “BJ”, “Momma dog Dink” and “Natasha," and he is strumming a guitar made of gold. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all of those he left behind.
Viewing will be at Bethel Baptist Church 3125 W Socrum Loop Rd Lakeland, FL on Friday, December 9th from 9:00-10AM, followed by services at 10:00 AM.
Lunch will follow at Longhorn Steakhouse on 98 N in Lakeland.
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