James Love

James William “Jim” Love died on Monday, April 15, 2019 after a rich 93 years of life. Jim was born August 9, 1925 to James T. and Ruth (Williams) Love in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Jim graduated from Greensburg High School, and left immediately for Washington D.C. and the F.B.I. Starting in the fingerprinting division, he was the youngest man ever accepted into the program. Serving his time in the United States Navy during the Pacific theater, Jim was there to witness the flag raising on Iwo Jima. Honorably discharged, he returned to the F.B.I., working and earning his law degree from George Washington University and became an agent with Director J. Edgar Hoover. Also, upon his return to the bureau, he met and married Mary Francis Willcox of Southern Pines, NC. They were married May 21, 1948 until her death in 1997. Together they had two children, James W. Love, Jr. of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Lynn A. (Love) Palmer, of Broken Arrow, OK. Jim was assigned to various offices including Washington, Atlanta, New York and lastly Cincinnati, where he retired in in 1974. In retirement, he continued to work on private investigations and taught law enforcement at Northern Kentucky University. Upon his second retirement, Jim and Fran, relocated from Cincinnati to Pinehurst, North Carolina, enjoying tennis and golf, as members of the Pinehurst Country Club. A lifelong, avid and competitive tennis player, Jim, enjoyed a national senior ranking of 54th at 80 years old, of which he was immodestly proud. In June of 2018, after the passing of his 2nd wife, Margaret Toellner Love, whom he shared 18 years of happiness, Jim relocated to Broken Arrow to be close to his remaining family. Here, he enjoyed spending time with his daughter’s family, including his grandsons. Jim was known for his sense of humor, competitive nature, and his generous, friendly attitude to everyone he met. A memorial service is planned for next month in North Carolina, where he will be placed next to his wife Mary Frances in Sanford, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim’s name to Euphronia Presbyterian Church, 169 Euphronia Church Road, Sanford, NC 27330.

Tributes

James Love

August 9, 1925 - April 15, 2019