Link Jr., James Claude (J.C.)

James Claude (J.C.) Link Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in the Village of Newport, Va., on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, in the loving care of his wife of 53 years, Betsy Ross Link. J.C. was born on May 22, 1932, in Giles County, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Claude and Ida Bradley Link; and a sister, Juanita Haw. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Barry Link, of Newport; two daughters and their husbands, Terri and Harry Kammer, of Bluefield, and Virginia and Kimberly and Michael Secor, of High Point, N.C.; five grandchildren, Ben Link, Hannah Link, Katherine Kammer, Caroline Kammer, and Noah Secor; two sisters and their husbands, Nancy and Allan Dowdy .of Roanoke, Va., and Peggy and Bill Sword, of Marion, Va.; his mother-in-law, Mary Lucas Ross, of Newport; his loyal dog, Skylar; a niece and several nephews; numerous cousins; and many friends and neighbors. After two years of service in the United States Army, J.C. worked for five years at Celanese and then served as a rural letter carrier for 30 years. He held true to the postal motto that neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stayed this courier from the swift completion of his appointed rounds. J.C. also spent numerous years farming. J.C. was always there to help his fellow man. He was a founding and life member of the Newport Volunteer Rescue Squad and a life member of the Giles County Rescue Squad. He also helped form and served in the Newport Volunteer Fire Department and was a founding member of the First Christian Church of Newport and the Newport Ruritan Club. In recognition of his many years of service, J.C. was honored with the Ruritan Club’s Citizen of the Year Award in 1984 and with the Good Neighbor Award from the Village of Newport in 2004. J.C. led an adventurous life and did more than most people could ever dream. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend; and was a man among men. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 14, 2011, at the Kendall Funeral Home, 605 Snidow St., Pembroke, Va. Funeral Services will be held on 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2011, at Kendall’s with his burial to follow in the Lucas Family Cemetery in Newport. Military Rites will be conducted by American Legion Posts 311 in Pembroke, 68 in Narrows, and 145 in Peterstown and VFW Post 6000 in Narrows. Pallbearers will be Ben Link, Noah and Michael Secor, Tim Steele, Benny Cruise, and Harry Kammer. emorial donations instead of flowers, if desired, may be made to the Newport Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 144, Newport, Va. 24128; Carilion Clinic Hospice, 707 Randolph St., Suite 251, Radford, Va. 24141; or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com.