James William Sexton Jr., 84, passed peacefully on January 25, 2025 with family by his side. He was born in Shelbyville, TN on July 28, 1940 to Frances Renegar and James Sexton.
In 1958, Jim graduated from Central High School, where he excelled as a football player and quickly married his beloved Helen Alexander whom he was happily married to for almost 65 years. Helen was also from Shelbyville and preceded him in death in April of 2023, having battled Alzheimer’s for many years.
Jim started his career path by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1958. He served for 21 years, attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, having been deployed to Vietnam and South Korea. He retired from the military in 1981 and began working for General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin as a Logistical strategy consultant, which took him and Helen to Bangkok, Thailand for four years. They returned to Virginia in 1990, settling in Williamsburg. Jim continued to work as a consultant for several years until his retirement in 2004.
Jim enjoyed golf his entire life and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. He was guided through life by his Savior, Jesus Christ, and served faithfully as a member and deacon in many of the churches he and his family joined.
In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his only sibling, John Milton Sexton of Atlanta in 2004.
He leaves behind three children, James “Jay” William Sexton III and his wife Caren of Williamsburg, VA, Cary Sexton Parron and husband Matthew of Suffolk, VA, and Cynthia Sexton Scheel and husband Craig Scheel of Cleveland, TN. He was so proud of his grandchildren, Jamie Sexton, Taylor Sexton Simon, Helen Thompson, Audra Joyner, Beatrice Sykes, Chris Scheel, Caleb Scheel and Cory Scheel. He greatly enjoyed being with them and watching them also become parents to his 14 great grandchildren.
Jim will be buried along with his wife in Williamsburg, VA in the spring.
Memorials can be made in his honor to Williamsburg Faith in Action, 354 McLaws Circle, Suite 1, Williamsburg VA 23185 and/or Folds of Honor Departmen13, Tulsa, OK 74182.
