James O. Joyner Jr.

HAMPTON - Retired Lt. Comdr. James O. Joyner, Jr., 53, of Hampton, passed away Sept. 1, 2006 while on vacation at Disney World in Florida. He was born on Sept. 21, 1953 in Newport News, Va. Jim leaves behind his grieving family; wife, Patricia Kirk Joyner, of 21 years and his beloved son, Christopher James Joyner, who is a student at Old Dominion University; his loving mother, Betty Pencola Joyner and father and best friend, James O. Joyner, Sr. He also leaves his sister, Gregg Joyner Smith to cherish the memory of the many fun times they shared as they grew into adult-hood. Jim's extended family includes his brother-in-law, William B. Smith; his beloved niece, Stephanie and husband, Daniel Harris and their newborn daughter, Marley Corinne; his nephew, Jay Melton and fiancé Nancy McLean; his sister-in-law, Judith Perkins and husband, Alan of London, England; a brothers-in-law, Andrew Kirk of Belgium and Wayne Melton; aunts, Ruth McVay, Mary and Regina Pencola; first cousins, Joie, Michael, JoAnn, Dianne, Helen, John, Jimmy, Annamaria, Andrew, Donnie, Ben, Marie and Marilyn and their spouses and children; his adopted aunt, Joan Perez; and his two best lifelong friends, Michael Willard of Smithfield and Kenneth Brooks of Hampton who now resides in Texas. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Patrick and Mary Pencola, his fraternal grandparents, Willie and Mildred Joyner, his in-laws David and Margo Kirk of Australia, and several aunts and uncles. Jim graduated from Bethel High School and from William and Mary College with highest honors. Following graduation from W&M, Jim attended OCS in Newport, Rhode Island and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. His first assignment was the U.S.S. California as its Legal Officer. During his tenure in the Navy Jim served his country with distinction receiving numerous commendations and medals. He served as Surface Warfare Officer on the U.S.S. Roosevelt during Desert Storm and was assigned to the Admiral of the Fleet as a weapons advisor. For this service he received several medals including one from the Saudi Arabian government who honored the American military for participation in that conflict. Upon retirement he joined Cubic Associates and continued to serve his country for the next 12 years as a specialist in Computer Warfare. Jim was a very talented man and his interests were numerous and eclectic, He was well versed on many subjects and loved both classical and jazz music and had an extensive library that covered his many interests. He especially loved vacations in Disney World and made many trips there with his family. A Celebration of Life service will be held at West Hampton Baptist Church, Aberdeen Road, at 2 p.m. on Sept. 6 with the Reverend Danny Owens officiating. The family will receive friends before and after the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to St. Judes Children's Hospital, which was Jim's special love and charity.