James Robert Halverson, Jr., or more affectionately known as Gpa to his five grandchildren, died, Jan. 8, 2021, at Kennestone Hospital, after a brief illness. He was born in Washington DC on June 17, 1948. He was the son of James and Marjorie Halverson.
After graduating from Granby High School in Norfolk, VA, He attended Old Dominion University and then began his career with IBM in Virginia. He married Colleen McCabe in Aug. of 1968. In 1971, he was drafted by the US Army and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas. While in the army, he achieved the rank of Sergeant while working in Adjutant General’s Corps. After his discharge from the Army, he returned to the Washington D.C. area, where he spent the majority of his career with IBM. He was an active member of the community, which included membership in the Jaycees and a volunteer firefighter.
Jim and Colleen settled in Manassas, Virginia where they raised their sons, Jim and Eric, until they moved to Marietta, Georgia in 1990. He retired from IBM and worked several consulting jobs, which gave him the opportunity to spend time in a number of interesting places, including Taiwan, South Africa, and Belgium. He was a lifelong member of the Republican Party and the National Rifle Association. He was also a member of Golden K Kiwanis Club in Marietta, GA. Jim had a thirst for knowledge that was met with reading, traveling, adventurous eating, collecting, and conversation. In his retirement years, you could often find him visiting grandchildren and supporting dance recitals, show choir performances, cheerleading, football, basketball, and volleyball games. He had a lifelong love of cars and motorcycles. He spent many years traveling to car races and shows throughout the country. He cherished his 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and his two Buell motorcycles as well as his Kawasaki motorcycle. On any given Sunday, you could find him riding one of his motorcycles in the North Georgia mountains or hanging out with friends in Suches.
He is survived by his wife, Colleen Halverson of Marietta, Georgia; sons and daughters in law, Jim and Brooke Halverson of Dalton, Georgia and Eric and Jennifer Halverson of Opelika; Grandchildren Bowen, Lily and Grant Halverson of Dalton, Georgia and Ann Marie and Hadley Halverson of Opelika; Sister and Brother-in-Law Ann and Sean Kelly of Maryland and Brother and Sister-in-Law Mike and Jane McDonald of Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika, with visitation immediately preceding the service. The family will gather for a graveside service at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Alabama.
The family requests that flowers be omitted in lieu of donations to the American Heart Association.