James Kenneth "Jim" Toomes

In Loving Memory of James "Jim" Kenneth Toomes who passed unexpectedly but peacefully with family by his side at Advent Health Orlando, Florida, on September 15, 2024 just weeks shy of being 88.
James is survived by his children, James Forrest, James Clay (Eden) and Meredith Elizabeth (Jason),all of Orlando, FL ; step-daughter, Sarah Mia Crow; grandchildren, James Warren, James Isaac, Thomas Joshua, Lily Ann- Elizabeth, Kalen; brother, Michael of Greensboro, NC ; nephews, Douglas and Brandon, along with their families.
In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Scott Toomes in 1988; his second wife, Sally Ford Toomes in 2014 as well as his brothers, Bill Toomes and Doug Toomes.
Jim spent many years at Reynolds & Reynolds, the industry leader in healthcare systems, automotive printing technology and digitization. He moved from Greensboro, NC in the late 1960's to Jacksonville FL to build a territory and shortly thereafter moved to Orlando to build the Central Florida market in the early 1970's. R&R is based in Dayton, Ohio although its initial Orlando office was off of Maguire Blvd. but later moved into the growing Maitland Center business complex. He retired from R&R and started his own printing and advertising company, from his home in Maitland, with the help of Sally and also Forrest, who was involved for 2 years to help grow the business. After the business was up and running, they moved to Lake County to build a new lake front home and lived the dream of lakefront life. This included fishing, raising chickens, riding 4-wheelers, doing yard work and target practice into the woods, which he called wildlife management. After he fully retired from an official work perspective, he found ways to stay busy, often saying, "If I sit down, I go to sleep."
Jim was an avid outdoorsman who lived and breathed hunting and fishing. He was known to say, "I'll do anything you want to do as long as it's hunting or fishing." His wife and children also loved to be with him at the hunting camps, in Bookelia fishing, out on the water fishing, tubing, skiing or just tooling around. If you wanted to see him in October/Fall, it better be out at the hunting camp, many of which he managed. He also loved to be active including: bow and arrow practice for deer season, scuba diving, snorkeling, which he always included his family members and friends. He would rather be "doing something" but if he had time, his favorite sports teams were the The Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the 43 Richard Petty Race Car in NASCAR. He took his eldest son to his 1st race on July 4, 1971. The diversity of activities he exposed his family to is vast and treasured today and into the next generations.
When he moved to Jacksonville, FL, he always said "Sooner or Later" I am going to get a deep-sea fishing boat. He then bought his dream boat while living on the St. Johns River and named the boat "Sooner or Later."
Jim was a very active member of First Baptist Church of Winter Park including Deacon roles, finance committee activities, and men's physical fitness and volleyball clubs. He was determined to stay in shape and kept a detailed running log. He was also involved in First Baptist Church of Tuskawilla, and then First Baptist Church of Eustis. Jim made many many close friends in his Sunday school classes and raised his children to have a relationship with Jesus.
We look forward to seeing everyone who can come. As we plan for this Celebration of Life, we look forward to sharing and hearing everyone's stories during the reception. Jim loved to have fun, play jokes on people, tell tall tales, and laugh. If anyone would also want to share a story on this obituary page, we would love to have them for posterity.
A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th at DeGusipe Funeral Home in Maitland.
There will be a public viewing from 9:00 -10:00 a.m.
Followed by a brief closed-casket service at 10:15 am
A casual reception will be held upstairs from 10:30 am - 11:30 am.
If you wish to send lovely/happy flowers, the address is
DeGusipe Funeral Home
9001 Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
The family will have a brief graveside service at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park at 3:00 pm.