James Edward Jump

James Edward Jump (Jim, Jimbo, Jimmy, My Buddy, Dad, Papa, Grandpa) was born on December 2, 1943 in Houston, Texas and passed away peacefully on December 11, 2014. Jim grew up in Chattanooga, TN, and was a 1961 graduate of Chattanooga Central High School where he met his wife of 52 years, Janalyn Schmidt. Jim and Jan were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Donna Lynn and Karen Louise. In 1962 Jim joined the Air Force, served a combat tour in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968/69, and retired after 20 years of honorable military service in 1982. He continued to serve his country as a civil servant for the Department of Defense in Warren, Michigan. Jim was highly respected during his 20 year civil service career for his tenacious efforts in ensuring that his fellow soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen went into combat with the very best and safest heavy construction equipment in the world. Jim was awarded the Commander's Service Award upon his retirement from the civil service in 2003. The loves of Jim's life were his family, close friends, fishing, DIY projects, woodworking, metal fabrication, and automotive repair. Jim's legacy is memorialized in numerous homes and automobiles of his family and friends as he was always there to assist them in renovation and repair projects. Jim is survived by his wife Janalyn; daughters Donna Brady and Karen Sears (Greg Sears); granddaughters Jennifer Schmitz, April, Amber and Alexa Brady; great grandchildren Dylan Brady and Evelyn Lewis; sister Patricia Carter (Bill Carter); sister-in-law Roberta Jump; and, numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Milton L. and Margaret M. Jump and his brother, Milton Jump, Jr. Services will be held at Smith Mortuary and Funeral Home on Sunday, December 14th. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm with the service commencing at 3:00pm. Refreshments will be provided following the service at Smith Professional Center. Donations may be made in Jim's name to the Blount County DAV (Disabled American Veterans) via mail at DAV Commander, c/o Mike Kennedy, 2151 Big Springs Road, Maryville, TN 37801. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James Edward Jump please visit our Sympathy Store.