James Robert Zanders

The hour glass, with its sands of time, has slowly but surely spilled its contents, and with the passing of the last grain of sand on Monday morning, November 13, 2023, went the life of James Robert Zanders, who was fondly known as Bob or Robert. He was born on August 7, 1930, in Elberton, Georgia to Jessie and George Zanders, both who preceded him in death. He was the second oldest of seven children. 

James attended school in Elberton where he graduated from Elberton High School in 1947. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he served over 20 years as a radar operator. He recalled the only time that he was truly frightened was on an airlift from Okinawa to Japan. On this particular flight, the landing gear failed to lock into position and according to the pilot the only options were to either parachute out of the plane or land the plane in the ocean. He wasn’t going to jump and there was too much water, so after a few tense moments, James and his crew were able to get the landing gear fully deployed for safe landing. Robert served in the Korean War and the Vietnam war. He received numerous awards, medals, badges, and commendations which include the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) in 1967, the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) in 1968, the Vietnam Service Metal (VSM), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM), and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). James retired from the USAF on March 4, 1969, with honors and took his second retirement from the United States Corp of Engineers in 1998. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post 14, where he served as Chaplain. 

In 1956, James married Lunell L. Williams and to this union three children were born. They divorced in the late 1960s. James returned to Elberton during the 1970s where he met his second wife, Naomi C. Jacobs. They were married in June of 1978, and had two children. She preceded him in death in 1998.

James was a faithful and active member of Pleasant Home CME Church, presently known as New Beginning Independent Methodist Church, where he joined in the late 1970s. He served as the Chairman of the Trustees. He loved his church and dedicated a lot of his time and hard work for it. He was an avid sports fan and liked the Georgia Bulldogs and Kansas City Chiefs, but nothing topped his Elbert County Blue Devils! If he wasn’t attending a football game in person (home or away), he would listen to them on the radio. He was also in attendance at every basketball game supporting two of his granddaughters, and when they won the State Championship in 2022 in Macon, his joy was overwhelming. In that same year, James also had the honor of escorting his granddaughter on the Homecoming Court where she was crowned Queen. James loved to read and was a frequent visitor of the Elbert County Library where he made lifetime friends. He was very intelligent, witty, loved to smile and laugh, and enjoyed telling jokes and stories. He was very family oriented and was a very loving son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He has traveled the world and has been to every US state except Alaska. 

James leaves to celebrate and cherish his life, his loving children: Freddie (deceased), Michele, Tanya, Stefan (Joylyn), Lia, Jessica, and Jamaica; twelve grandchildren: Stefan II (Shauntell), Jasmine, Allyse, Erica (Rondell), Devario (Latricia), Maya, Sydney, Jonathan, Jasiah, Jamiya, Jamia, and Jameria; ten great-grandchildren: Stefan III, Raven, Aliyah, Christopher, Ronnie, London, Mil’lia, Braecyn, Jalayah, and Jalani; two brothers: Clarence (deceased) and Glenn (Lois); four sisters: Lula (deceased), Violet (deceased), Venicia (Eddie), and Sandra; one godson, Thomas (Wanda) Allen; special friend, Frances Willis; best friend, Joe Tate; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.