Final Salute

James (Jimmy) Haller

Port Orange – James Haller, known to everyone as “Jimmy” passed away on January 11, 2021 at the age of 95. His parents Charles and Bertha Haller moved to Port Orange in 1924 and settled on Herbert Street. Born on October 21, 1925 he was the youngest of four boys. Preceded in death was his brothers, Edward (June), Charles Jr. (Ruth) and Wilbur (Bonnie). Jimmy’s family were always involved with the people of Port Orange helping families to make Port Orange a great place to live. During WW II he joined the Seabee’s and was at Normandy. He could not speak of this time in his life for many years until he was in his 80’s. Saying he wished he could go back to say goodbye to his friends still there. After being given a month’s leave at home he received orders and was sent to the Pacific. He was discharged from Navy on March 15, 1946. He was always proud to be a “Seabee”. During the years he lived in Port Orange he worked at the Hatchery, Varner’s Drug Store and was a bartender in the “Zoom Room” at Gardner’s Seafood Restaurant. From the time he was old enough to the late 60’s he was a member of the Port Orange Volunteer Fire Department along with his brother and father. He spent all his off time working and helping in Port Orange by working at Cardwell Funeral home with his lifelong friend Glenn Cardwell. Before EVAC Funeral homes were the ambulance service for Port Orange. Besides being called to homes and accidents they also assisted at car races on the beach and at the Speedway. The Port Orange Volunteer Fire Department would be stationed at the races and he would be at one or the other. After his marriage in 1946 to his first wife, Joyce White he worked at Dandee Bakery, Service Paint and Glass and Economy Electric. He worked on one of the first launch pads at the Cape Canaveral. He did electrical and welding and work on the VAB building at the Cape. It is said that his name along with the others is on top of the VAB. For several years when there was no work at the Cape, he was with the Port Orange police and had the rank of Sargent when he left to go work in another state. During those same years he was on the Reserves for the Daytona Beach Police Department. Some friends used to tease and call him “no sleep Jimmy”. They said he was always working or helping somewhere that they could not figure out when he found time to sleep. There was never a fishing pole that did not fit in his hand. Fishing gear and nets were always in the trunk of his car. He could not go by a river or a lake without dropping a line. He had a fishing license for every state he worked in. After a divorce from his first wife, Joyce White Haller; he worked in different states, but always as a member of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). He met and married Fay Williams in Monroe Michigan on March 11, 1978, returning to Florida. He lived in the Orlando area working at Epcot and said his favorite job was wiring the dinosaurs. After a critical car accident, he moved back to Port Orange which was a special coming home where he grew up and had so many memories of his family, friends and the belief that they were all part of history. He is survived by his wife Faye; four children, Priscilla (Pat) Sparks, Mike (Karen) Haller, Jerry Haller and Debra Gillis. Grandchildren, Aaron (Fran) Sparks, Stacie (Joshua) Bagamery, Becky (Shon) Myrick, Andy Haller, April (Keith) Bireley, Robert McCall, Brian McCall (Deceased), Dustin Gillis and Danny (Deborah) Gillis and 8 great grandchildren. Stepchildren of Michigan are Danny (Marianne) Williams, Frances (Michael) Collum, Edward Williams, Donald Williams (Deceased); 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. The family request in lieu of flowers, that Memorial Donations be made in his memory to the Port Orange Historical Trust, P. O. Box 291156, Port Orange, FL 32129. The Viewing will be held on Monday, January 18, 2021 from 3-5pm with the Funeral Service being held at 5pm at Cardwell, Baggett and Summers Funeral Home, 301 Big Tree Road, South Daytona, FL. Burial will be at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims on Tuesday, January 19 at 11am. Due to COVID 19 everyone will be required to wear a protective and to social distance. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.cardwellfuneral.com.