James Elmer Eubanks, Jr., 88, of Ardmore, Alabama, passed away peacefully to song on Thursday, October 12, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Minnie Locke Eubanks and James Elmer Eubanks, Sr., sisters Tootsy Coker and Mary Frances Grisham and brother David Lynn Eubanks. James is survived by his wife, Joyce (Phillips) Eubanks, son, Keith (Tracy) Eubanks of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, daughter, Kymla Eubanks, of Chandler, Arizona, sisters Ruby and Anne Burns of Athens, AL, brother, Leroy Eubanks, of Hartselle, AL, aunts and uncles, many nieces, nephews and extended family.
James was born in Huntsville, AL, on August 11, 1935. He graduated from Ardmore High School in Ardmore, AL, in 1953, where he played football and was co-captain his senior year. He served in the US Army Signal Corp from 1953-1956, stationed in Germany with the 9th Infantry Division and the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He married Joyce Phillips June 3, 1956, while a freshman at Auburn University. He graduated from Auburn in June 1959 with a degree in Electrical Engineering after being inducted into the Electrical Engineering Honor Society, Eta Kappa Nu Association.
James had an exceptional career at Redstone Arsenal serving over 41 years. He received many prestigious awards including the Saint Barbara Medal for Artillerymen twice, October 1986 and August 1990. He received numerous Outstanding Performance Awards as well as the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service in August 1990, which he was most proud of. James worked in Research and Development, specializing in System Engineering and Artillery Fire Control for 19 years. During 1976-1978 he participated in the concept design of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) where he wrote the MLRS Specification where he spent the next 10 years as the Fire Control Lead Engineer. He moved to a new project office in 1988 as the Chief Engineer to the newly formed Fire Supported Program Management Office. He retired from that position in 1990 and spent the next 10 years as a consultant to this office. James loved his chosen jobs and put 110% into all of them, retiring for a second and final time in 2000.
James and Joyce moved to their Ardmore farm home in 1992 after their children, Keith and Kymla graduated from high school. James loved to hunt and fish and spent as much time as he could enjoying the outdoors. After returning to Ardmore, James was an active member of the Piney Grove Baptist Church, where he and Joyce were married in 1956. He was a deacon and active in leadership. James was a born-again Christian, a man firm in his faith. James lived a blessed life. He was grateful for family and friends throughout his life.
Visitation will be held at the Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home in Ardmore, AL, from 11:00am -1:00pm on Wednesday, October 18. Funeral service will follow at 1:00pm with Adam Mikel of Piney Grove Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow the service at Gatlin Cemetery.
Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home is assisting the family with services.
