James “Jimmy” Kearns III, 64, went to his heavenly home above on Monday, September 12, 2022. Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gale Bartley Kearns, father James Kearns Jr., brother John Kearns, niece/daughter Jacqueline “Jackie” Lusk, aunt Christine Kearns Moore, and special friends Charley Holley and Everett “Woody” Holt.
Jimmy was a good father, friend, and avid car enthusiast. Jimmy enjoyed attending and displaying his ”77 Dream” in local car shows from Covington to Roanoke. He could be found displaying and driving the 1977 Corvette that he kept lovingly restored in his wife’s memory on the Crusin’ Nights on Williamson Road.
Jimmy also enjoyed Star Trek, James Bond movies, and Top Gun movies. He loved family cookouts and was always the “Grill Master.” He always said, “If you don’t eat or have fun, it’s your own fault!” Jimmy was always quick to lend a helping hand to friends and family, including helping raise his great nieces as his granddaughters into adulthood. He was “Pops” to all. The brightest light in Jimmy’s life was his son, whom he was extremely proud of.
Jimmy is survived by his son Jordan Kearns, mother Dorothy Gross Kearns, brother Joseph “Sarge” Kearns, sisters Janice Weaver, Betty Joan ”BJ” Kearns, and Melinda Thomas (Ben). Uncle Willard Kearns (Irene) and Nephews/Sons Terrance Clark (Amy) and Joel Clark (Heather). Great nieces/granddaughters Sommer Quantz-Hostetter (Sam), Angel Foster (Scott), Victoria ”Tori” Lusk (Donna Marie), and Mistei Tilley (Ean). His special cousins: Chris Gross (Kelly) and Rhonda Dee Moore.
Special friends: Connie & Wayne Crawford, Ronnie Harrison, Veronica Grantham, and his beloved dog, Thor, as well as many other family members who were all special to Jimmy.
There will be a family and friends night at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, Va., on Thursday, September 15, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. The interment will be private.