Jim Denning, age 96, of Davenport, Florida, passed away peacefully on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family. Born on August 9, 1928, in Uniontown, Ohio, to Cecil H. and Thelma (Walker) Denning, Jim lived a life of service, hard work, adventure and kindness. He was of the Christian faith.

He proudly served in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the United States Navy as a SeaBee from 1945 to 1947, reaching the rank of Machinist’s Mate Third Class and earning an honorable discharge.

Following his military service, Jim returned to Ohio where he would meet and in 1951marry the former Mary Jane Hamilton, the love of his life and wife of 73 years.

Jim would work heavy construction and trucking, as well as partnering with his brother-in-law in the ownership of two Ohio Pontiac dealerships before going full time in the trucking industry with Roadway Express. Roadway opportunities led Jim, Mary Jane and their four children to Georgia in 1962. After many years with Roadway, Jim spent another 20 years with Ace Hardware as a long-distance truck driver before taking early retirement to travel and pursue his many interests.

Jim’s hobbies and interests were many throughout his life. From being a private pilot, motorcycle enthusiast and trick water skier in his younger days to being an avid golfer and woodworker later in life. One of his greatest obsessions was collecting and restoring antique and classic cars and being active in the MG and Rolls Royce clubs of America. In between his special interests (and to help fund his hobbies and travel) Jim returned part-time to work; this time in transportation and logistics for the film and television industry, where he worked on such films as “My Cousin Vinny” and the television show “In the Heat of the Night”.

Jim’s zest for life would take him and Mary Jane on many adventures around the globe, to include Istanbul, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and the Figi Islands, where the two held hands while straddling the International Date Line. After seeing much of the world, Jim and Mary Jane sold their home in Georgia and spent three years seeing the United States and parts of Canada in their motorhome as full time RV’ers, before settling down in 2003 at Deer Creek Resort in Davenport. Jim would spend the next 20+ years honing his golf game, as evidenced by his 11 hole-in-one trophies and by being among the first to respond to any neighbor in need. His selflessness continued to be on display as he, along with Mary Jane would spend many years volunteering with “Give Kids the World Village”, a non-profit

Central Florida resort that provides weeklong cost-free vacations to critically ill children and their families.

Considered a good-hearted man who brought kindness, enthusiasm and a helping hand to everyone he met; he was affectionately called “Gentleman Jim” by those who knew him best. While always upbeat with a smile on his face, he was never happier than he was when surrounded by his family. Nothing gave him more joy in life than the absolute chaos of kids, grandkids and great grandkids all around him.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Thelma Denning, and his sister Jeanne Hamilton. Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 73 years, Mary Jane Denning; his children, Cynthia Brown, Jimmy Denning, David Denning and his wife, Susan, and Jane Denning; his grandchildren, Cheri Baumgartner and her husband Jason and their son, Lucas; Christy Sosebee and her daughters, Caroline Nakagawa and her wife Kiana, Mary Sosebee, and Katie Sosebee; Megan Maney and her husband Brad and their son, Mason; Katie Mastriano and her husband Marc and their son, Miles; and Matthew Waller and his wife Julie and their children, Eric Mahan, Trevor Cox and his wife Mia and their daughter, Landri; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Jim’s name made to Give Kids the World Village (https://www.gktw.org/help/give.php) or the Fisher House Foundation – Helping Military Families (https://fisherhouse.org).