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James Murray Wingate Obituary

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James Murray Wingate

Milton, FL

July 3, 1929 - September 16, 2015

James Murray Wingate Obituary

James Murray Wingate was born to Robert Wingate and Frances Atwell Wingate on July 3, 1929, in Davidson, NC, near Mooresville, NC. The family made a home in Mooresville, where Jimmy Wingate had four younger brothers, Bennie, Kenneth, Tommy, and Jack. In high school, Jim earned the name “Turkey” because he could run so fast. He played baseball and football and graduated with honors from Mooresville HS in 1947. Following HS graduation, he joined the Army Air Corp, which eventually became the United States Air Force. Jim married Mary Alice Coleman on June 22, 1951. Over the next five years they had four children: Gay, Wanda, Keith, and Charles. The family set out on an excellent adventure around the country, as Jim served at various Air Force Bases. The family’s favorite past-time was camping in national parks all over the country. Jim and Mary Alice were devoted to God, each other, their family, and serving their country. They were married for 60 years. Jim’s Air Force career took the family to Cocoa Beach, FL; Spokane, Washington; Mars Hill, Maine; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Shreveport, Louisiana. During the 1950’s, Jim was involved in various nuclear tests in the Pacific. He was a squadron commander at Fairchild AFB. He was a missile site commander in northern Maine in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. He was a commander of two missile sites in the Colorado Rockies in the 1960’s. He also worked in communications until he retired as a Major in the United States Air Force in 1969. His second career was in civil service in Lawton, OK, and Galveston, TX. He and Mary Alice retired in Pace, FL. Jim and Mary Alice were active in Christian service and activities, first as Presbyterians, and later as United Methodists. Jim loved to sing and was a member of Barber Shop Quartet for many years. He also sang in church choirs and praise teams. Jim was devoted to Mary Alice during her long illness, and was her primary caretaker for over ten years before her death in 2011. Jim was blessed with two wonderful families during his lifetime. He met and married Ann Niedermeier in 2014. They made their home in Pace, FL, and spent two wonderful years serving the Lord, visiting family and taking short trips around the country. They were surrounded by a loving extended family. Jim and Ann worked as volunteers at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where they were dearly loved by the outpatient/surgery staff. They also served the Lord as members of Woodbine United Methodist Church in Pace, FL. Jim was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He was a man of God who loved and served the Lord with joy. He had a spiritual renewal when he attended the Walk to Emmaus in 2012. Jim was known as a man of integrity, and one with strong work ethic. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He lived a long and healthy life until his recent sudden illness. James Murray Wingate left this life on September 16, 2015, when he entered into life eternal with Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife, Ann Wingate, of the home; his children, Wanda and Steve Littrell, Keith Wingate, Charles Wingate and Ingrid Keeley, Karen Wingate, and Susan Renfroe. Grandchildren are Wayne Rogers, Brian Lewis, Jennifer and Brian Gilliland, Jonathan Wingate, Andrew Wingate, Brandon Wingate. Step-children are Henry and Margaret Niedermeier, Tom and Karen Niedermeier, Steve and Vicki Niedermeier. Sisters and brothers-in-law are Johnie Mae Williams, Jean McCauley, Virginia Buckalew, Dianne and Wendell Reeves, David Hardy, Tom and Janet Hardy, and Tim and Linda Hardy. Jim also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was deeply loved, and will be missed by all.

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