With deep sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our loving father and husband, James Timothy Gaydos, Sr., age 71, on the early morning of August 2, 2024, surrounded by his three sons and loving wife at the Novant Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington, NC after his third and final arduous battle with cancer.
James Timothy Gaydos was born into a humble upbringing on May 5, 1953, in Uniontown, PA. He was one of ten brothers and sisters who grew up in a small home on Brushwood Road, which is affectionately known in our family as “Gaydos Hollow.”
James served his country in the United States Army, stationed overseas in Korea and beyond. He returned to civilian life upon completing his military service to follow in his father’s footsteps working in the coal mines. He worked for 23 years at Consol’s Dilworth Coal Mine in Greensboro, PA.
James’ character, leadership, and skill set led him to be elected as the UMWA Local 1980 President. He was a member of various veterans clubs and organizations including American Legion Post #51, AMVETS Post #103, CWV Post #1669, and VFW #8543. Additionally, he was an active member of the VFW Post #9133 upon relocating to Jacksonville, NC.
James whistled his way through life while enjoying vegetable gardening, canning, cooking Slovakian family recipes, playing cards, being an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan, watching local sports, and especially spending time with his family, in particular, with all of his grandchildren. James was known as hands down the best storyteller and jokester of the family. His sense of humor captivated everyone. If there was laughter, you could be sure James was behind it. His warm smile and enormous sense of humor were only ever dwarfed by the size and compassion of the softest of hearts. James would do anything ever asked of him by his friends and family, especially in their desperate time of need.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marcia (Jacksonville, NC), sons James Jr. and his wife Amy Burgess (Uniontown, PA), Eric and his wife Lucy Moninger (Canonsburg, PA), and US Army Sergeant First Class Christopher and his wife Shundiin George (Waynesville, MO), grandchildren, Skylar, Meadow, Christopher Jr., Cameron, Arilynne, Kylie, Gaige, and one great-grandchild, Christopher Jr., III. James also leaves behind his sisters Carolyn Parsons (Daytona Beach, FL), Deborah Livak and her husband Jay (Glenwood, MD), Mary Yonker and her husband John (Berlin, MD), Brenda Proud and her husband Jim (Uniontown, PA), Daniel Sr. and his wife Barbara (Uniontown, PA), Robert and his wife Deborah (Daytona Beach, FL), and sister-in-law Bonnie (Uniontown, PA) along with countless other cousins, nephews, and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents Michael Gaydos and Margaret Rabatin, his sister, Barbara (Cookie) Knopp, and his brothers Edward and Michael Jr.
A memorial liturgy will be held on August 14, 2024, at 10:00 AM at his home parish of Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Uniontown, PA. The interment will follow at Sylvan Heights Cemetary at 11:15 AM. A wake for the family and friends to follow immediately following at the American Legion Post #51.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to James’ favorite charity, Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his honor.
Coastal Cremations 6 Jacksonville St., Wilmington NC 28403
910.392.6032
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