James Mitchell Champion III's Obituary
James Mitchell Champion, III, 77, of Hudson, Florida passed away on January 10, 2023. He was born August 29, 1945 to the late James and Ruby Champion. A native of Pontiac, Michigan, he worked as an automotive factory worker for General Motors. He was a proud veteran of the US Navy, serving during the Vietnam War. In the 1990's, he retired and moved to Hudson, where he started a landscape business. He was a member of Rapha House Ministries, where he lead the Royal Rangers program. For over 39 years, he was known as "Commander Jim" as he ministered to countless boys, many of whom he considered sons and grandsons.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Brenda; son James Champion and his wife Nellie; daughter Amy Baker, and her husband Scott; son Elmo Champion; grandchildren Brittany Mardis and her husband Kasey, Christopher Weber and his wife Emily, Jason Anderson, C.J. Ivey, Darcy Huertas, Jonathan DeJesus, Desiree DeJesus, and Joshua DeJesus; great-grandchildren Kacen, Hunter, Mavrik, Kaydence, Brogan, Lilith, Joshua Jr., Jehlil, Janeysia, Melicah and Ryan; and an overwhelming number of Royal Rangers, whose lives he touched.
A Memorial Service will be held at Rapha House Ministries at a later date, followed by burial at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
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