James V. (Jim) Pleasants, 74, of St. Simons Island, GA died January 22, 2011 at his residence.
Mr. Pleasants was born on August 17, 1936 in Tiger, Georgia. He graduated from Rabun County High School in 1954 and from Young Harris College in 1956. He entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program in Pensacola, FL where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. His first assignment was to fighter squadron (VMF-232, The Red Devils) stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii. Within two months the squadron set sail on the USS Bennington for Atsugi, Japan, where Jim flew armed missions in defense of the Japanese Islands during the 1958 Taiwan Straits Crisis.
He graduated in 1964 from the University of Georgia School of Law and set up a law practice in Rabun County, GA. He reentered active military service and had two tours of duty as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. Leaving the military in 1976, he moved to St. Simons Island, once again taking up the practice of law. He served as judge of the Recorder's Court for the City of Brunswick and of the Magistrate Court of Glynn County.
Flying was a lifelong major interest. Over the years Jim owned a number of different airplanes, including a red Waco, an open-cockpit bi-plane. He was a member of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association at McKinnon Airport.
He was a trustee and usher at the St. Simons United Methodist Church, a member of the Optimist Club, a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia, and an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 248.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Miles Otis Pleasants and Clyde Arrendale Pleasants English. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jeanne Pleasants; a son, Paul O. Pleasants of Long Island, NY, and daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Anna and Tom Sobolewski of Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren, Lydia and Myles Pleasants of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Luke and Scott Sobolewski of Cincinnati, OH; sister Janie P. Taylor of Tiger, GA, sister and brother-in-law Margaret (Peggy) and Albert Thrasher of Tiger, GA.; uncle, Dr. Joe J. Arrendale of Tiger, GA; several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Young Harris College Capital Fund, P. O. Box 275, Young Harris, GA 30582, or to the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 27, at St. Simons United Methodist Church with Rev. Benjy Varnell officiating. A reception at the church will follow. Burial will be in the Spring at Tiger, Georgia.
This announcement is courtesy of Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
