Obituary for James Dorrell Abbott
Mr. James D. Abbott, born of the marriage of Earl Abbott Sr and Julia Rachel Abbott née Bailey on October 24th, 1924, marched on to his Reward Saturday, May 21, 2022, at the age of 97. Mr. Abbott lived in Quincy, Florida, and, supported by his children Linda and Edward, he remained independent through his elder years. He passed peacefully at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, surrounded by family, after a sudden illness.
Mr. Abbott served as a United States Marine in the Pacific Theater of World War II, reenlisting 3 times. He fought “for the duration” of the war and rose to the level of Tech Sargent before he was honorably discharged. He continued his service in the Reserves for many years after that. A member of the “greatest generation”, he worked as an engineer on legendary projects including the Titan missile system, the Early Warning Radar system, and the microchip.
In 1947 he married. He brought five grateful children into the world: Edward Charles Abbott of Florida, Monica Rose Abbott of Pennsylvania, Linda Marie Nwokeji (Kennedy) of Florida, Anne Elizabeth Abbott of South Dakota, and Walter Eugene Abbott of Pennsylvania (deceased). He was a devoted father. Well into his 80s, he set out every May on a tour of the country to see each of his children. From Florida to Pennsylvania and all the way to South Dakota, he would drive his trusty Buick over hill and dale to complete these missions.
He was pleased to be Grandpa to nine grandchildren: Tarila Abbott (PsyD), Kayla Nwokeji, Kanene Nwokeji, Bailey Abbott Burdick (Lucas), Micci Abbott, Zadya Abbott, and Sheridan Abbott. Grandsons Tracy James Abbott and Zimife Nwokeji both carry their grandfather’s name. He was also Great grandpa to Sadie Elizabeth Abbott, Piper Josephine Abbott Burdick, and Kari Maxwell.
He is survived by his sisters, Virginia Maxwell of Michigan and Shelley Huckeby of Florida. He is predeceased by his sister Betty Peters of Florida, and brother, Earl Abbott Jr of Florida. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, who knew him as Uncle Dorrell.
Mr. Abbott was a well-respected leader in all his long-standing occupations. He spent several decades as an engineer at Western Electric Company, owned Abbott’s Printing in Reading Pennsylvania, and held a Real Estate license. He retired from H&R Block, after more than two decades of employment, at the age of 95.
Mr. Abbott was a lifelong public servant, holding a great number of elected civic offices over a long political career. Mr. Abbott never wavered from his calling to serve.
James D Abbott was loved fiercely by his family and respected greatly by his contemporaries. He was a rock to many. He was a man of few words, but one was always sure of his character, his integrity and his honor. He will be missed terribly.
The family will receive well-wishers at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 11 am where he will be interred with full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to The James D Abbott Memorial Scholarship fund at The Maclay School in Tallahassee, Florida.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home, Quincy, Fl., 850-627-7677, is in charge of arrangements.
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Mr. Abbott served as a United States Marine in the Pacific Theater of World War II, reenlisting 3 times. He fought “for the duration” of the war and rose to the level of Tech Sargent before he was honorably discharged. He continued his service in the Reserves for many years after that. A member of the “greatest generation”, he worked as an engineer on legendary projects including the Titan missile system, the Early Warning Radar system, and the microchip.
In 1947 he married. He brought five grateful children into the world: Edward Charles Abbott of Florida, Monica Rose Abbott of Pennsylvania, Linda Marie Nwokeji (Kennedy) of Florida, Anne Elizabeth Abbott of South Dakota, and Walter Eugene Abbott of Pennsylvania (deceased). He was a devoted father. Well into his 80s, he set out every May on a tour of the country to see each of his children. From Florida to Pennsylvania and all the way to South Dakota, he would drive his trusty Buick over hill and dale to complete these missions.
He was pleased to be Grandpa to nine grandchildren: Tarila Abbott (PsyD), Kayla Nwokeji, Kanene Nwokeji, Bailey Abbott Burdick (Lucas), Micci Abbott, Zadya Abbott, and Sheridan Abbott. Grandsons Tracy James Abbott and Zimife Nwokeji both carry their grandfather’s name. He was also Great grandpa to Sadie Elizabeth Abbott, Piper Josephine Abbott Burdick, and Kari Maxwell.
He is survived by his sisters, Virginia Maxwell of Michigan and Shelley Huckeby of Florida. He is predeceased by his sister Betty Peters of Florida, and brother, Earl Abbott Jr of Florida. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, who knew him as Uncle Dorrell.
Mr. Abbott was a well-respected leader in all his long-standing occupations. He spent several decades as an engineer at Western Electric Company, owned Abbott’s Printing in Reading Pennsylvania, and held a Real Estate license. He retired from H&R Block, after more than two decades of employment, at the age of 95.
Mr. Abbott was a lifelong public servant, holding a great number of elected civic offices over a long political career. Mr. Abbott never wavered from his calling to serve.
James D Abbott was loved fiercely by his family and respected greatly by his contemporaries. He was a rock to many. He was a man of few words, but one was always sure of his character, his integrity and his honor. He will be missed terribly.
The family will receive well-wishers at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 11 am where he will be interred with full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to The James D Abbott Memorial Scholarship fund at The Maclay School in Tallahassee, Florida.
Charles McClellan Funeral Home, Quincy, Fl., 850-627-7677, is in charge of arrangements.
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