Captain Lloyd “Jim” James Lake Obituary (1929 - 2019)

Captain Lloyd "Jim" James Lake, USAF, Retired, age 90 of Gainesville, FL formerly of Orange Park, FL passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2019. Mr. Lake was born on July 8, 1929 in Oakland, CA to Lloyd Louis and Phyllis Hannay Lake. Jim began his military career when he joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947 at the age of 18. In 1951 he transferred to the U.S. Air Force. There, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Air Force and began the pilot training program. By 1954 he had become a fully trained fighter pilot. He met and married his wife Patricia while stationed at Moody Air Force base in Georgia. Jim was stationed at numerous bases throughout the United States and was deployed overseas early during the Vietnam War. He completed his military career instructing young pilots as a flight instructor for the Air Force at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. He was awarded over a dozen Air Force Service Metals during his military career. During his active duty years Jim enjoyed scuba diving and spelunking. After retirement in 1967, Jim and Patricia, were both pilots and enjoyed flying small aircraft across the U.S., sailing, boating, and spending time with their grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia Wells Lake; daughter Lisa Lake Sullivan and son Lloyd L. Lake; their spouses Jerry Sullivan and Lisa Ann Lake; grandchildren Adam Sullivan, Ryan Sullivan, Victoria Lake, and Austin Lake; great grandchildren Hayden Sullivan, Connor Sullivan, Dexter Sullivan, and Maya Sullivan. Jim was a patriotic American, a loving husband, and a wonderful father. May he rest in peace. Military Honors and interment will be held at the Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell at 11:30 am Friday, October 25, 2019. For those who wish, contributions may be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606 or online at http://beyourhaven.org/MemorialGifts Arrangements are under the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES 311 South Main Street Gainesville, FL. 32601 (352) 376-5361 www.milamfh.com