James Michael Waldroup

James was born in Akron, Ohio to William Thomas Waldroup and Mary Joe Robinson Waldroup on Friday April 11th 1941. His family moved to North Carolina when he was around 5, eventually settling in Kingston, Tennessee. It was here that he graduated Midway High School. After graduating high school James AKA “Wally” joined the Army. He was stationed at Huntsville, Alabama and on one of his trips home stopped in Scottsboro, Alabama where he met his wife, Jean. They married in 1960 and were together almost 64 years until her death on July 10, 2024. Shortly after getting married, he was stationed in Germany while Jean stayed stateside. During this tour his first daughter Tenice (Tennessee) was born. After returning a second daughter was born, Rosemary (Yvette). His next assignment was Chitose, Japan with his family. From there it was on to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where his third child, James M. the II (Mike) was born. While stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma Wally was in the Artillery Division. His family stayed in Lawton, Oklahoma while he did tours in Vietnam and Korea. After rejoining his family, he was assigned to Germany for a second time. During his assignment at Gelnhausen, Germany he was promoted to the rank of Captain. While stationed abroad he and his family traveled across Europe. Paris to see the Mona Lisa, the Gardens of Versailles, sipping hot chocolate on the Eiffel Tower, Barcelona, Spain, and Pisa, Italy to see the leaning tower of Pisa. Just a few of the places visited where memories were made with his family. Returning stateside he was assigned to Ft. Devins in Ayer, Massachusetts. From there he was sent to Corry Field, Pensacola, Florida where his field of expertise was cryptology. His MOS was Signal Intelligence Interceptor. Jokingly he would say that was all he was able to tell us. If he told us any more than that he would have to kill us. With his family staying behind in Pensacola he was again deployed to Korea for a short tour. He returned to Pensacola and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science which he was very proud of. When he was again requested to go to Korea for a third time Wally politely declined and elected to retire. Wally retired at the rank of Major after 24 years of honorable service to his country. Wally accomplished an outstanding feat of not only being an enlisted member of the military but also rising in rank to serve as an officer. Some of his most important awards are the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Air Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (1st Class), Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with 2 Palms. In addition to other numerous awards, he received two monetary awards and was recognized the US Army Intelligence field for inventions he designed that aided in the intelligence field for the United States Military. The next chapter in his life was being a contractor and building homes. He also started purchasing rentals and maintaining the properties with his family. Many tales and memories can be told by his family about his self-taught tutelage regarding rentals, repairs, and tenants. One of his passions was writing poems and stories and being the published author of children’s books. A lifelong hobby was the love of Math. Doing math in his head, different tricks and ways to multiply, add, divide. Also, just mention “Wally Burgers” which were famous at the Waldroup Family Reunions in West Point, Georgia. No explanation is needed for one family memory that will be regaled only as a finger to the nose. Instead of retiring to Tennessee as planned he and Jean remained in Florida. He and Jean chose to stay in Pensacola to be close to their children and grandchildren. They eventually settled in Cantonment, Florida and there remained. Wally was a beloved member of the Farm Hill Fellowship Church in Cantonment for many many years. He will be missed by his Farm Hill Fellowship Family. Wally is preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Thelma Jean Zeigler Waldroup (June 17, 1943 – July 10, 2024); his two older brothers, Jerry Waldroup and Park Waldroup; two older sisters, Mary T. Townsend and Ruth Tinnel; two younger brothers, William (Billy) Waldroup and Cecil Waldroup. He is survived by one last older brother Wayne Waldroup; daughter, Tenice “Tennessee” Sue Waldroup (Doug) Kendrick; grandchildren, Kristy Mabire (John Stone) and Mary Lee (Nick Work); great-grandchildren; Dylan and Elijah Stearns, Breanne Browning, Kaydence and Jensen Work; Daughter Rosemary “Yvette” (John) McLellan; grandchildren, Greg (Alician) McLellan, Rebecca (Roy) Oberto; great-grandchildren; Dylan Goins and Skyla Goins, Grayson, Parker and Grace McLellan, John and Luke Oberto; son, James Michael “Mike” (Lynne) Waldroup; grandchildren, Dalton Waldroup, Rachael (Mat) Jokerst, James M. “Trey” Waldroup III, Brandon (Cheyenne) Yasurek, Alex (Kaiden) James, Joey Yasurek, Ethan Waldroup; and great-grandchildren, Cooper and Bella Waldroup, Aspen James, and Jayne Yasurek. Along with many numerous nieces and nephews; and his “adopted son” W.W. (Skip) (Mary) Rogers a lifelong friend and partner who is considered a close family member. To honor Wally, some of his ashes will be carried and spread over his parents resting place in Fairview Cemetery Kingston, Tennessee. On Sept. 2, 2025 at 1:30pm both Jean and Wally’s ashes will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery, located on Pensacola Naval Air Station at 1 Cemetery Rd., Pensacola, FL 32508 He will be missed.

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James Michael Waldroup

April 11, 1941 - May 13, 2025