James R. Lemon

BRANDON, Miss. | James R. Lemon, professional baseball player and businessman, died Sunday, May 14, 2006 at his residence in Brandon, Miss.

He was born in Covington, Va. on Mar. 23, 1928, the son of the late James G. and Elizabeth W. Lemon.

He was a star athlete at Covington High School, who signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians in 1948 and reached the Major Leagues in 1950. After a two year stint in the service during the Korean conflict, he resumed his baseball career and was traded to the Washington Senators in 1954. After two minor league seasons aimed at sharpening his playing skills, he became a permanent fixture in the Senators lineup until the team moved to Minnesota after the 1960 season. His playing career ended in 1963 and he later went on to coach and manage for the Minnesota Twins and the Washington Senators for 19 years.

His many baseball highlights include hitting four home runs in the Southern Association All Star Game and hitting three home runs in one game at Griffith Stadium with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in attendance. He represented the Senator and American League in two All Star Games, coached in the 1965 World Series and was named manager of the Washington Senators in 1968.

He was inducted into the Covington High School Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He and his business partner, John Shorb, operated a successful grocery store for 17 years in Hyattsville, Md., which specialized in select meats and stellar customer service. He lived in University Park, Md. for 25 years and retired to Myrtle Beach in 1987 and later moved to Brandon, Miss.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Laudermilk and Josephine Shorter; and two brothers, Ralph Lemon and Wayne Lemon.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Ella Otto Lemon; one daughter, Le Lemon of Darnestown, Md.; and two sons, Joseph Lemon of Lynchburg, Va. and Patrick Lemon of Brandon, Miss.; as well as seven grandchildren, Ryann Stefanou, Elaine Stefanou, Abigail Lemon, Johanna Lemon, Mary Grace Lemon, Jay Lemon and Murphy Lemon; and a brother, William J. Lemon of Roanoke, Va.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 22, 2006 at Emory United Methodist Church in Hot Springs, Va.

Sign a guest book at Myrtle BeachOnline.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Boys Home, Boys Home Road, Covington, VA or McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Allegany Avenue, Covington, VA.