James "Jimmy" Gray Spease

Mr. James ""Jimmy"" Gray Spease, 79, of Winston-Salem, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

Jimmy was born July 9, 1938 in Forsyth Co. to the late Eugene and Mary Spease. He retired from R.J. Reynolds as a machinist after 32 years of service. After retirement, Jimmy drove a school bus for Forsyth County Schools for 15 years, a job that he loved dearly. In his free time, he enjoyed traveling and visited all but three of the 50 states. An avid sports enthusiast, he was a Charlotte 49ers fan and a Carolina Tarheels fan. Jimmy also loved animals, and was known for taking in many over the years. Jimmy was a long-time volunteer at Vienna Fire Department. He was a devout member of the Church of Christ and a treasured husband, father, grandfather and brother. In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Lou Myers and his beloved Jack Russell, Max.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shelby Holder Spease; daughter, Lori Pendry; son, Darin Spease and wife Kathy; grandchildren, Nathan Martin and girlfriend Casandra Gonzalez, Nicole Starling and husband Steven, Mason Spease, Morgan Spease, and Kasey Spease; step-grandchildren, Amber Schosser and Rick Pendry, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Isabela Hoihjelle, Jocelyn Martin, Amelia Martin, and Mackenzie Starling; step-great-grandchild, Oceana Eldridge; sister, Ruth Ellen Charles; brothers, Johnny Spease and Gene Spease; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Holder; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jimmy's life will be held Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel with Mr. James Percival and Rev. Dr. Bill Campbell, Sr. officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 - 2:00 PM. Interment will follow the service at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Church of Christ, c/o James Percival, 255 Stickney Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.

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