James Edward Jernigan passed away peacefully on Feb. 28, 2018 at Martha & Mary.

Jernigan was born on Oct. 8, 1932 to James Hugh and Nora Verdee in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He traveled to the Northwest with his family, settling on Bainbridge Island, where he lived for most of his life.

Jernigan had various jobs over the years but most of his time was spent as a mechanic and welder, where people say he could fix anything.

In 1952, he married Ruth Lund, who he later divorced in 1970. In 1953, his parents died in a tragic accident, and Jernigan and his wife Ruth, with a baby on the way, took in his sister and three brothers.

In 1971, he married Martha Berg who he later divorced in 1997.

Jernigan worked hard, was friendly and sociable, he loved his family, riding his Harley motorcycle and enjoyed flying airplanes. He and his friends were regulars at the Central Market Coffee Shop.

He is survived by daughter Pam Raber (Curt); daughter Sandy Bellinger (Rob); son Randy Jernigan (Candy); grandchildren Andy Raber (Megan), Charity Fox (Craig), Daniel Jernigan (Anne) and Robert Bellinger; great-grandchildren, Owen Fox and Sierra Fox; and sister Dorothy Lovelace.

A private family service was held.