Jimmy LaFever

Today we celebrate the life of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Leslie Nolan LaFever (“Jimbo” or “Jimmy”). Son of William Nolan LaFever and Lola Talley LaFever of Henry County, TN, Jimbo was born July 20, 1916, and grew up with a brother, William Luther, and a sister, Mary.
Jimbo married Dorothy Ezell on November 28, 1936 in Paris, TN. He soon became the owner and operator of his own business, Jim’s Pastry Shop. In 1944, Jimbo joined the United States Navy and later served in Korea as an activated National Guardsman. During all of his tours, Jimbo put his talent for baking to good use, serving sailors and soldiers alike.
As time passed, Jimbo and Dorothy’s family grew by two. They welcomed Peggy Ann in 1940 and Judy Carol in 1942. Travel appealed to both Jimbo and Dorothy. After selling the pastry shop, Jimbo joined the United States Air Force and throughout the ensuing years, the LaFever family found themselves stationed all over the country settling in Vermont, New Mexico, and even Hawaii. Jimbo retired from the Air Force in 1969 and worked for Air Products for the next ten years.
In 1998, Dorothy passed away, leaving Jimbo alone in Murray, KY where he continued to live until 2005 when he joined his daughter, Peggy, and her husband, Richard, in Southside, AL. Jimbo lived under Peggy’s care until his death on June 7, 2010.
Though Jimbo lead an honorable and full life, he was so much more than this brief summation of facts and dates. To those who knew and loved him, Jimbo was a peaceful man; a doting father; a lover of stray animals, black coffee and early morning conversation; a die-hard baseball fan; a lifelong Democrat; a hearty chuckler with ever-twinkling eyes, and a faithful husband and friend. Leslie Nolan LaFever left this world in much the same way that he lived in it; nobly and in the midst of loving family. He honored all of us with his unfailing generosity, patience, and simplicity.
Jimbo is survived by both of his daughters (Peggy LaFever Davis (Richard) of Southside, AL, and Judy LaFever Borge of Cape May, NJ), five grandchildren (Tracey Borge Thornton of Cape May, NJ, Leslie Borge Brewer of Paris, TN, Jody Borge Cauthen of Greensboro, NC, Julie Davis Reed of Fort Collins, CO, and Richard Eugene Davis of Denver, CO) and eight great-grandchildren (Lindsay Thornton, Clara McGowan, John Reed, Lola Beth Reed, Sarah Brewer, Knox Brewer, Quinn Brewer, and Ellie Cauthen).
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of Jimbo’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, KY, 38101-9929 or The Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 1900 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY, 40502.
Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the chapel of the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, 201 South Third Street, Murray, Kentucky. Rev. Jenna Goggins will officiate and burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Online Condolences may be made at www.thejhchurchill funeral home .com