Layfield, James Harold, 81, of Largo, died August 19, 2008 at Hospice House Woodside, Pinellas Park under care of Hospice of the FL Suncoast.
He moved to Pinellas Park from Phenix City, Alabama, in 1963 to work for the St. Petersburg Times as a linotype operator. He retired from the Times in 1992. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1945 to 1949 with duty in China immediately following WWII. He was a life long member of the Boy Scouts of America holding positions as troop leader, commissioner, and over twenty years as Director of Shooting Sports at Camp Soule, Clearwater, and Sand Hill Scout Reservation, Brooksville, where he taught rifle and shotgun safety and marksmanship. Because of his positive impact on the lives of generations of young men, he received the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service in 1993. He spent his final years at Skyway Skeet and Trap where he continued to coach young and new shooters and enjoyed time with his friends.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathy Layfield; daughter, Roseanne Black and husband Alan, Meadows of Dan, Va.; son, James Layfield, Jr. and wife Jeri, Largo; three grand children, Colleen Cozak, Roanoke, Va., John Michael Layfield, Charlottesville, Va., and Thomas James Layfield, St. Petersburg; two brothers, Billy and wife Elaine, and Clifton, both of Phenix City, Al.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00, Sept. 5 at first United Methodist Church, 9025 49th St., Pinellas Park, Fl. 33782 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Boy Scouts of America, West Central Florida Council, 11046 Johnson Blvd., Seminole, Fl. 33772, or Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater FL 33762.
James touched many lives and will be missed by all.
Jimmy you will be truly missed, I hope and trust I’ll be able to pass the same Knowledge, Respect and Trust to others that you have so well taught and showed me.
WE SALUTE YOU- Now and Forever.
To the Layfield family: How sad of an occasion that when Jim crossed my mind this week I come to find that my friend and mentor has passed on. I spent 8 years at Summer Camp working for Jim on the range and I often recall those good memories. Jim was the first person ever to take me hunting. The long truck ride to Alabama gave him plenty of time to give me his lifetime in stories. It seems only fitting that the day of his passing I was sitting here in Cincinnati, a little over 900 miles away, in a blind hunting doves. I am sure Jim would wanted to be here, just as much as I would have enjoyed his company. To his family, Thank you for sharing a wonderfull man,mentor to many of young men, and friend to all.
“He who serves his fellow man, is among his fellow man the finest.” – Lord Baden-Powell
Thank you Layfield Family for sharing Jim with the youth of West Central Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America. I remember fondly of the times I spent with Jim during summer camp, 1984-1990. I was the new camp ranger and Jim kind of adopted my family. He was always there for information and support.
When ever I think of Shooting Sports, Jim was the person that came to mind. It was fun to listen to Jim at lunch in the dining hall talk about another boy that qualified for the Rifle and Shotgun merit badge. He was just as excited as the boy earning the merit badge.
He truly was a leader, teacher, and friend. He lived the Scout Oath and Law and was an example for all youth.
Jim will be missed, but his memory will never be forgotten.
Jim was the sweetest man.I was the Camp Ranger’s wife at Camp Soule.In 1984 Doctors thought I had a mis- carriage.I came home to change clothes between jobs and kept passing out.I made it outside so someone would find me and Jim was there.I believe he was sent from God.I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and was bleeding to death.Jim saved my life.I’ll never forget that or the wonderful man he was!It’s people like Jim who had positive influences on boys.My son was born there in 87 and loved scouts from the day he was born. He remembers Jim and he was only 4 and over the years he and his dad come back to visit.He is now an Eagle Scout thanks to men like Jim.God Bless