Obituary of James Wayne Glover

James “Jimmy” Wayne Glover, age 65, was born on October 11, 1957, in Kissimmee, FL, and passed peacefully from this life on March 15, 2023, at his home in Loughman, FL.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Wallace Glover, mother, Ruby Walters, brother, Raymond Glover, and nephews, Kevin Walters and Eddie Glover. 

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Glover stepfather, John Walters, brothers, Tommy (Melissa) and Johnny Walters, son, Christopher Bryant, daughter, Heather (Jonathan) Barkman, and grandchildren, Haliyah, Zaydan, Aniyah, and Malakhi Barkman, as well as nieces and nephews.

James was a hard-working man who loved and provided for his family. He was very giving, especially of his time - always willing to help and serve others. He was a skilled “jack of all trades”, was very handy, and was especially great at building and fixing things. Whether for his job, a personal hobby, or a family need, he was usually working on a project. He took pride in his home and vehicles, and cared for them well. He also enjoyed tending to his many plants. 

James was a good man who loved the Lord and his family. He and Kathy were married just six weeks after meeting and were together 39 years. She, along with their children and grandchildren, became the center of his life. He served for many years as the groundskeeper and janitor at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Davenport, FL and loved listening to gospel music like The Inspirations. 

Even though he dropped out of school in the 11th grade, he studied hard and obtained his GED. He started working at a young age, which gave him a strong, life-long work ethic. His take-charge attitude ensured that the work he was responsible for was done quickly and correctly. You could say Jimmy had a bit of a temper but he was the type of guy who could tell you off and get away with it. You just couldn’t help but love him. Throughout his career,  he wore many hats including: coordinating warehouse food distribution for General Mills, being a certified forklift operator, and installing underground water and sewer lines for Combs Utilities. He was also a warehouse receiving and shipping manager for Central Florida Press, a building supervisor superintendent for Polyak Homes, and he served as the maintenance director of multiple nursing homes in the Kissimmee area. 

Jimmy wasn’t much for traveling, but you could always count on him to be the best dressed of anyone in the room. When he did venture out, it was usually to a balcony room on the beach where he would listen to the waves at night or to take a drive through the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. The love he had for his family was undeniably mutual. He was dearly loved and his legacy of faith, family and serving others will live on. 

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jimmy’s life together on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Oak Ridge Funeral Home in Haines City, FL. Viewing begins at 10:30am, Celebration of Life Service begins at 11:30am, and there will be a graveside service at approximately 1:15pm at Evergreen Cemetery in Davenport, FL.