JAMES NININGER

NININGER James Avent Nininger, III, 52, died September 15, 2011 in Jacksonville, FL. He was born on May 30, 1959 in Jacksonville, FL, to Rae Marie Wells and James Avent Nininger, Jr. His father, a USCG Aviation Electrician's Mate, 2nd class, died rescuing flood victims in northern California on December 22, 1964. His mother later married William Arnold Jones, both of whom have passed away. Jim was also predeceased by his grandfather Raymond Jack Wells and uncle Raymond Jack Wells, Jr. After graduating high school, he briefly attended University of South Carolina. Jim joined the United States Army in 1982 as a Tactical Communications Operator/Mechanic, serving in Germany and South Korea. After his Honorable Discharge, Jim returned to Jacksonville, FL. He was trained in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) apprenticeship program and became a Journeyman Electrician. Jim loved working as a commercial electrician and was a proud member of IBEW, Local 177. He enjoyed seeing the fruit of his labor around town pointing out hospitals, libraries and power houses he had helped build. Jim spent his spare time with family and close friends. He was an avid gamer and a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Jim enjoyed brewing meads, metheglins and melomels; he was member of Dragons Breath, a local brewing guild, and was an apprentice brewer. Jim is survived by his wife, Sandra D. Crabtree Nininger; daughter, Shannon Lynn Crabtree; son, Sean Michael Crabtree; three grandchildren, Jonah, Felix and Isadora Moore; sister, Teresa Marie Reed; brother, David Nininger Wells; uncle, Richard Wells; and grandmother, Jane Earnest Wells. He is also survived by too many friends and loved ones to list, all of whom will miss Jim dearly. A wake will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2011. Jim will have a military funeral on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Jacksonville National Cemetery and a reception will follow at the Clarion Airport Hotel and Conference Center. The family wishes to thank all who have been so supportive through this trying time, especially the Jacksonville 911 service, Jacksonville Fire Department, the doctors and staff at Memorial Hospital, and Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com