James (Jim) Robert Love

James Robert Love (Jim) was born in Briarsville, Tennessee to his parents Millie Mae Perry and Robert Exon Love; he was the third of six siblings, three boys and three girls.  He was the senior survivor of his entire family.
James met and, fell in love (at first sight) and married the beautiful Mollie Turner on June 9, 1941 in Franklin, Tennessee.  To this union they added a daughter and two adopted sons Robert Michael and Kevin James.   They enjoyed a wonderful married life for 64 years, until Mollie’s death in 2005.
His early years in Nashville encompassed many childhood adventures running, lake swimming, hunting and fishing.  Also a curious reader, James read every book he could put his hands on but especially loved books on airplanes, flying and the Bible.   He later became a mechanic for General Motors Truck Company.
James enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and assigned to the 1050th AAF Unit as a Private.  He soon promoted to Sergeant and served as a non-typist general clerk.  In 1943, he attended Non-commissioned officer’s candidate school at the Nashville Cadet Classification Center and graduated at the top of his class.  James was assigned as temporary Administrative Squadron Sergeant Major.  His request for permanent rank was unfortunately placed at the bottom of the pile and overlooked as often many Negro requests were still met with prejudice.  He then received orders to the Kearns Overseas Replacement Depot in Salt Lake City, UT in 1945.
As his unit was preparing for dispatch to the Philippines, the Atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan, which subsequently ended World War II (WWII).  James Love received an American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWI Victory Medal with his honorable discharge in August 1945.  His love of the Southern outdoors was rekindled by the wide-open spaces, mountains, hunting and fishing opportunities of the Utah Valley.  He knew he wanted to remain here, so he returned to Nashville, TN and moved his wife Mollie and daughter Janey in the winter of 1946.
James later reenlisted to the U.S. Air Force in 1948 at Fort Douglas, UT and assigned to the Squadron F2252 of the Army Air Force Training Command (AAFTC) at Lowery Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado.  Even though, his dream of being an Air Force pilot was previously discouraged by segregation and racism, James proudly served as a discharge clerk, supervising several clerks and clerk typists.  During his active duty, his due diligence in training and strong work ethic, he earned expert marksmanship honors in Marksman Carbine Course B.   James received a second honorable discharge and settled permanently in the Salt Lake City, UT area.
As jobs were not readily available back then, James tasked himself as a waiter at the Empire Room at the Hotel Utah and a shipping clerk for Pool’s Display and Fixture Company.  He later studied for the US Postal Service Exam and Barber College.  He was successful at both and served as a mail clerk and supervisor for 33 years at the Salt Lake City main Post Office.  He was able to utilize sign language and Spanish with the clerks under his direct supervision.  At the same time, he opened Jim’s Barbershop and was the owner, manager and chief counsel.
The fun stuff in James’ life was being a Master fly fisherman.   When the weather was warm you would find him and Mollie or he and Larry on a stream or at Silver Lake at Brighton casting away and saying “Keeping Hope Alive”.  He also enjoyed duck and pheasant hunting.
James Robert Love lived a long and illness free life.  A life he enjoyed often surrounded by the company of his family, those that admired him and those he reached out to.  His wisdom, humor, patient and calm nature will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
It is quite evident that James honored his parents rewarded with long life as a testimony to God’s promise of longevity found in Exodus 20:12.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Dorothy Burks, Elizabeth Perry, Virginia Pope; brothers; Exon Lee Love, and Billie Walton.
To cherish his legacy of love and kindness in wait of the great day of resurrection, James (Jim) leaves his devoted daughter and caregiver Janey L. Brown of San Diego, CA; Granddaughters Bethany Royal (Keith) of Jacksonville, FL; Belinda Brown Williamson of San Diego, CA; Grandson James Robert Love (Danielle) of Salt Lake City, UT; Five Great-Grandchildren Michael Brown, Jacksonville, FL; Janeen Williamson, Huntsville, AL, Charles Royal (Orlando, FL), Jordanne Williamson, Huntsville, AL; Khalil Royal, Jacksonville, FL; Faithful Friend and Son, Larry Houston of Salt Lake City, UT; nieces and nephews, dear friends and church family.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 28, 2017 at 1:00 PM in the Calvary Baptist Church (1090 S State S) SLC.  Viewing will be prior to service from 11:30-12:30.  Interment will take place at the Memorial Redwood Cemetery.  Arrangements entrusted to Memorial Deseret Mortuary.
Service Information
Viewing August 28, 2017 at 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah





Funeral Service
August 28, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah