BURNSVILLE, NC - James Leonard Fuller Jr., 61, a former resident of Burlington, passed away unexpectedly from an apparent massive heart attack Tuesday evening, Sept. 8, 2015, at his home in the Woodland Apts.
He was born Dec. 15, 1953 in Birmingham, AL.
He is survived by his mother, Doris McCay Fuller, now residing in a nursing home in Baton Rouge, LA; sons, James L. Fuller III of Des Moines, Iowa and James Oliver Williams of Burnsville; a grandson, James Sebastian Fuller; and sisters, Judy Fuller Harper of Burnsville, Debra Joyce Hall of Richmond, Maine and Janice Kay Fuller of Montevallo, AL; four nieces and a nephew, Anne Harper, Beth Harper, Abby Hall Luca, Randi Hall and Jeff Hall.
He was preceded in death by his father, James L. Fuller Sr.
Although he began high school in Marion, VA, a place he dearly loved, Jimmy was a 1972 graduate of Walter Williams High School in Burlington, NC. He was a grade school and high school social butterfly, to the despair of his parents, who disapproved of the lackluster report cards he dragged home; but also, paradoxically perhaps, he was a late bloomer and a wandering soul, often troubled, but who would give you the shirt off his back. His sisters spent many mornings feigning innocence under parental questioning when he was late returning from one of his many escapades that involved sneaking out a bedroom window and staying out all night. We were a wall of sibling silence.
One of his proudest accomplishments was J. Oliver's, the restaurant he owned and managed with his third wife in Sylacauga, AL, the only fine dining to be had for miles around at the time and perhaps, even now. After the restaurant closed, he worked in the overhead crane industry, doing such things as installing sheets of ceiling glass in malls. Years before that, he was on the road constantly with a company doing maintenance work on microwave towers, some of which extended high above the clouds, He was never happier than when climbing high. From childhood, his mother was anxiously (hysterically) coaxing him down from very tall treetops. He knew no fear of heights.
This is, until he fell from a height of 60 feet while taking down a tree for a friend, which resulted in crippling and completely disabling injuries which would cause him severe pain and limited mobility for the rest of his life. The fact that he survived the fall was a miracle, as he almost tore the aorta loose from behind his heart. The pain medications "only took the edge off." His friends and family all marveled at how he managed to soldier on, with his patched up heart, through knee replacement and two foot surgeries which did only a little to relieve the pain in his crushed feet. Every step he took required the kind of grit that few people can summon up even temporarily, and he did it for 17 years. His mottto was "Every day that I don't wake up dead is a good day!" He has blessedly put down his burden of pain in death.
Jimmy had requested some time ago that his ashes be scattered at Dark Holler, his older sister's home in the South Toe River Valley in Yancey Count, NC. There will be a memorial gathering there of friends and family on Oct. 24th to remember him while celebrating his life and where his ashes will be scattered among the roses. If you're a friend of his, you're welcome. If you play music, bring you instrument. The more the merrier! If you would like to attend the memorial, please contact his sister at 225-287-1413 for directions.
Final arrangements were handled by Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home in Burnsville.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Still, not a day goes by without thinking of you Dad. I miss you. I wish you were here to see what we've become because of the men you made us. Good and bad, thick and thin, new and old. We'll always love you and remember you. Your stories will last generations, I promise. Love you Dad.
James F III
Family
October 2, 2023
Still miss you, bubba, even though you've been gone for seven years now. You went so suddenly and so young. I'll never have such a knight in shining armor as you were to me, especially after you joined me in Burnsville.
Judy Fuller Harper
Family
January 13, 2023
I miss you buddy. Can't believe it's been 7 years already. Too many times to count I have picked up the phone to call you and tell you all about my day, my life, or to ask for your experienced wisdom when at the crossroads in life. I love you and miss you Dad. I hope I'm making you proud.
James F.
Family
September 7, 2022
My song for my brother is "Born To Be Wild" - I think of him every time I hear it and have so many funny stories from so many wild times. Memories now. Rest in peace.
Jan Fuller
October 14, 2015
You shall be missed by all. My father and my friend. One day we shall talk again.
james Fuller III
October 12, 2015
Joy Fuller Hall
October 9, 2015
godspeed, my brother
Joy Fuller Hall
October 9, 2015
Joy Fuller Hall
October 9, 2015
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
Funeral services provided by:
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, Inc.501 East Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more