James Edward Hill's Obituary
James Edward Hill of Mount Dora, Florida, affectionately known as "Eddie" to his family and friends and "Pop Pop" to his beloved grandchildren, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the age of 73.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Eddie moved to Zellwood, Florida, as a child and spent his entire life in the Lake County area. He proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.
Eddie was a man of many passions. He was a car enthusiast, an avid fisherman, and a lover of the great outdoors, often found tending to his garden. He enjoyed watching television and was a devoted fan of shows like MASH and Star Trek. His dedication to his work as a truck driver spanned an impressive 48 years until he retired 11 years ago.
Eddie is survived by his loving wife, Karen. They have been together for 25 years. His legacy lives on through his children: sons, Russell Locklear of Paisley, Florida, James Hill (Stephany) of Dallas, North Carolina, and Jacob Hill of Mount Dora; daughters, Samantha DeBose of Mount Dora, Rebecca Hill of Eustis, Marquita Lestz (Alex) of Mount Dora, Victoria Morgan (JR) of Alachua, Florida, Jessica Lestz of Mount Dora, and Corine Powell (Drew) of Groves, Texas. He leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, who will forever cherish his memory. Eddie is also survived by his brothers, Chris Hill of St. Augustine, Florida, and David Bryant (Kim) of St. Augustine; and sisters, Lee Gagnon of St. Augustine and Lyn McClellan (Rob) of Palatka, Florida.
A memorial ceremony to honor Eddie's life will be held on Thursday, February 6, at 11:00 AM at LifePointe Church of Eustis. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).
Eddie's adventurous spirit, unwavering love for his family, and dedication to his passions will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.
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