James L. Pedigo

James L. Pedigo, 53, having lived a life of service to others, died Monday, July 17, 2006 after a hard fought three-year battle with leukemia. He received a chance for a new life as a stem-cell recipient on June 13, 2006 at the Medical College of Virginia. Born May 21, 1953 in Petersburg, he was the son of the late Henry N. Pedigo Sr. and Louise Sykes Pedigo. Since 1983, Jim had served as Regional Sales Representative of Church Mutual Insurance Co., was 1990 Atlantic Division Sales Leader, and was a 15 year member of the President's Circle. Jim was a 1971 graduate of Tidewater Academy, a 1976 graduate of the University of Richmond, where he was a catcher on the Spider baseball team for 3 years, and received his Masters Degree in Education at the University of Richmond in 1979. While in graduate school, Jim served as assistant baseball coach for two years. Jim coached baseball, softball and football at Tidewater Academy for 20 years, and the Wakefield-Waverly Recreational Leagues for over 25 years. He was a member of the Waverly United Methodist Church, the Waverly Ruritan Club, Beaverdam Sportsmans' Club, and the Waverly Youth Hunt Club. Jim is survived by his wife, Candace Maifeld Pedigo; three daughters, Sarah Lindsay Pedigo, Ashby Leigh Pedigo, Kelsey Paige Pedigo; future granddaughter, Berkleigh Paige Pedigo, due October 8, 2006; brother, Henry N. Pedigo Jr. of Waverly; sister, Holly P. Watson and husband, Ronald, of Sunset Beach, N.C.; uncle, Luke Sykes of Waverly; four nephews and one niece; and his beloved dogs, Lily Anne and Dutchess. The family will receive friends at Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield, on Wednesday evening, 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Waverly United Methodist Church, Waverly, Va., with the Rev. Connie Gibbs officiating. A nursery will be provided at the church during the service. Interment will follow in Waverly Cemetery. Friends are invited to the Pedigo residence for a reception following the services. Memorial donations may be made to the National Foundation for Transplants, c/o Diane Wheeler, P.O. Box 224, Waverly, Va. 23890, Waverly Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 583, Waverly, Va. 23890, or to the Jim Pedigo "Heart of a Warrior" Scholarship Fund, c/o Tidewater Academy, P.O. Box 536, Wakefield, Va. 23888. Purviance Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be posted at www.jtmorriss.com