James Kenneth Baucom, age 95, passed away on Tuesday December 31, 2024 in Lakeland, Florida. he was born on August 16, 1929 in Fort Meade, Florida to the late James and Letha Baucom.

He was a lifelong resident of Hardee County, Florida where he was born at home off of Lanier Road, in the Pleasant Grove Community. He grew up in Bradenton, Palmetto & Ft Meade walking the woods and fishing. He enlisted at 17 years of age in the Airforce in 1946. He was in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952. He meet his future wife, Louise Henderson, in 1953. They married in July of 1954. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in July of 2024, he celebrated his 95th birthday in August. The happy couple went on to have 5 children. 4 daughters & 1 son. They have 16 grandchildren & 19 great grandchildren. He was proud of his country and he was one of the last Korean war Veterans from the Hardee County Area.

He spent the first 15 years of his civilian life working, for the Coker Funeral Home, where he made lasting friendships. He then spent 40 years working in the Phosphate industry.

He was a member of the Lake Dale Baptist Church, he had found a church home he felt true Christian fellowship in. He enjoyed Reading his Bible and studying all  things to do with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. he was an alumni of the Apostolic Bible School in Lakeland, Florida in1950's. He loved learning & enjoyed writing. He enjoyed being in the woods & listening to the birds. Mostly he loved his Lord, his wife & adored his children, grand children and great grandchildren. He was very proud of all his family.

He is survived by his wife Myrtle Baucom, children Mark (Jennifer) Baucom of Wauchula, Florida, Roxanne(Raymond) Garcia of Wauchula, Florida, Novella(Paul) Childress, Renee Faulkner of Wauchula Florida & Pleasant Burton, Brothers, David Baucom of DeCater, Alabama and Jimmy Baucom of Avon Park, Florida.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Velma Baucom and Letha Twiss Rimes, grandson Mark Baucom Jr.,4 brothers, 4 sisters great-grandson Tristan J. Robinson and son-in-law Don Faulkner, Grandparents maternal, Malvin and Lilly Twiss and paternal Holly and Mary McClelland.

The visitation will be on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10:00am-10:30am at Lake Dale Baptist Church, 3102 Heard Bridge Road Wauchula, Florida and funeral services at 10:30am.

The burial will be follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery 2334 US HWY 98 Fort Meade, Florida and Pastor Mike Davis will be officiating.

Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements.