James Edwin Gilmer

The honorary mayor of New Holland, Mr. James Edwin Gilmer, passed away peacefully with his loving family surrounding him on August 3, 2016 at the age of 70.

Mr. Gilmer was a lifelong resident of New Holland and a member of Pleasant Union Baptist Church. He was a loving husband, wonderful brother, and the kindest man anyone could have known.  Not only was he loved by his family, but he was loved by many others. “Papa James” was a name not only given to him by his grandkids, but by many other children through the years that loved him.

After serving his country in Vietnam with the U.S. Army 9^th Infantry Division, Mr. Buck Ward took James under his apprenticeship. For 30 years, Mr. Gilmer worked in the funeral industry as a funeral director and ambulance driver with Wards Funeral Home.

Mr. Gilmer was a true advocate for veterans for over 40 years. Mr. Gilmer played a vital role with the Georgia Department of Labor in Gainesville, Georgia as a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist for 20 years. This position allowed him to help veterans with jobs and counseling.

Mr. Gilmer received several awards through the years.  However, there are two that were close to his heart.  In 2005, Mr. Gilmer received the Vietnam Veterans Member of the Year Award and the National Commander’s Award.

James was an active member with several veteran organizations and served leadership roles in many of them. Some of the organizations he was part of are: Lanier Lion’s Club as the past president, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, AM Vets, Combat Infantry Men, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a charter member and commander of several local, state and national organizations.

Mr. Gilmer was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Sarah Gilmer; beloved niece and nephew Leah and Ian Buffington; mother-in-law Ruth Akin; and brother-in-law Rev. James L. Yopp.  He is survived by his loving wife Janice Gilmer; brother Dr. Thomas L. Gilmer and his wife Linda; sister Nancy Gilmer Yopp; daughter and son-in-law Celita Gilmer and Pete Allen; daughter and son Angie and Kevin Austin; son and daughter-in-law David and Heidi Brown; grandson and fiancé Chip Allen and Brittany; grandchildren Rassie, Denny Marie, and Julian Brown; nieces and nephews Ruth and Cliff Hammond, Rachel and Ron Ribeiro, Thomas L. Jr. and Luciana Gilmer, Harold Ralph and Lilian Gilmer, James. L Yopp III and Sherri Yopp, Susan and Harry Sailers, Gina Yopp Buffington; great nieces and nephews Jonathon, Sarah, Elisabeth, David, Michelle, Charity, Daniel, and Samuel Hammond, Rochelle and Roxanne Gilmer, Amanda and Matthew Shepard, Karen, Raphael and Danielle Gilmer, Shawn, Andrew, Wyatt Yopp and fiancé Mallory; and Torrie Yopp and fiancé Jesus, Jordan and Christa Sailers, Devin, Trevor, and Avery Buffington. Mr. Gilmer also had 6 great great nieces and nephews and a number of loving cousins.

During his extended illness, Mr. Gilmer had a loving service dog by the name of Buddy Goode.  Buddy Goode stood by Mr. Gilmer’s side for four year and was at Mr. Gilmer’s bedside during the time of death.

Not only was Mr. Gilmer survived by his family, but he is also survived by the many men and women he called his brothers and sisters in arms.

Visitation will be on Sunday August 7, 2016 from 3:00-6:00pm at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel.  Memorial service will be held on Monday August 8, 2016 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel at 11:00am. Interment will take place on Tuesday August 9, 2016 at 11:30 am at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Rd, Canton, GA 30114.

In memory of James Edwin Gilmer, donations can be made to Pleasant Union Baptist Church, 509 Wall Street, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Memorial park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Dr. Gainesville, Georgia 30501 770.297.6200. Online condolences may be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com