Major General (Retired) James Robert Mercer of Gainesville, Georgia passed away on November 10, 2013, surrounded by his family, after an extended illness. Born on December 2, 1933 in Athens, Georgia to James Washington Mercer and Louise Burney Mercer, he was raised in the Five Points area of Athens in the shadows of Sanford Stadium. He attended Athens High School and then the University of Georgia, where he majored in Animal Husbandry and graduated in 1956.
General Mercer began his military career in June 1956 as a distinguished military graduate from the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Georgia. He was called to active duty in August 1956 and completed Primary Pilot Training at Spence Field, Moultrie GA, 1957; followed by Basic Pilot Training at Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX, 1957; and Interceptor Controller School at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, 1958. He was then assigned as a weapons controller with the 702nd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron at Hunter Air Force Base, GA, where he flew the B-25 aircraft. He was released from active duty in August 1959 and transitioned to the Air Force Reserve, where he joined the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron and flew the C-119 and C-124 transport aircraft. His unit was called to federal active duty in October 1961 and released in August 1962. General Mercer remained in the Air Force Reserve until March 1963, when he joined the Georgia Air National Guard and was assigned to the 116th Air Transport Wing as a pilot on the C-97 and C-124 transport aircraft. In February 1974, he was reassigned to the 155th Tactical Air Control Center as the chief of combat operations. In July 1977, he became the director of logistics of the 116th Tactical Fighter Wing, and then the deputy commander of maintenance. In April 1982, he was appointed as the assistant adjutant general for Air for the Georgia Air National Guard, and in November 1983 was appointed as the chief of staff, where he served until his retirement on July 1, 1989.
General Mercer was a command pilot with more than 4,500 hours flying the B-25, C-119, C-97, C-124, C-130, and T-29 aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, Georgia National Guard Service Medal with Bronze Boar's Head, and Georgia Recruiting Ribbon.
In his civilian life, following his release from active military duty in the Air Force in 1962, he joined Cobb Inc., a primary poultry breeding firm located in Gainesville, GA, as Breeder Manager. He remained with Cobb Inc. his entire career, eventually becoming the Director of Production for the US operation of Cobb Vantress, Inc.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Nash Mercer, formerly of Athens, GA; their five children and spouses: Robin (and Sylvia), Jennie (and Rex), Kelly (and Casey), Kim (and Ben), Shannon (and Kelly); 13 grandchildren: Valerie, Avery, Zach, John, Jenna, Katy, Nash, Mary, Emily, Susie, Vance, Ellie, Lanie; and 3 great-grandchildren: Mac, Annie, and Rex.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501 or First Baptist Church of Gainesville, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, GA 30501.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the people at Helping Hand Home Care and Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Their assistance was extremely helpful in the final stages of General Mercer's life.
Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church Chapel, Friday November 15th, at 2 PM. Dr. Bill Coates will officiate. The family will receive friends in the Banquet Hall following the service.
Those wishing to make online condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, S.W., Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
