Trump Jr. James Owen

James Owen Trump Jr. (Sonnie), of Florida, formerly of Christiansburg, Va., went home to be with the Lord on May 1, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ovelia and James Trump; two brothers, Paul and Eslie Trump; first wife, Barbara Sullivan; second wife, Mary Ruth Stringer.

He is survived by his wife, Ruthelma Trump, of Titusville, Fla.; his two children, Teresa Graham, of Salem, Va., and Jimmy Trump and wife, Angie, of Shawsville, Va. He had six stepchildren, Rick Trump, of Greensboro, N.C., Robin Bailey, of Christiansburg, Va., Janet Wilcox, of Arizona, Katrinia Seib, of Florida, Rob Vinson, of Georgia and Barbara Ingold, of Illinois. He also had four grandchildren, Becky Graham, Ricky Graham, both of Salem, Rachel Graham and Kayleigh Trump, both of Shawsville; three great-grandchildren, Victoria, Kenny and Kenan; three brothers, Teddy Trump and wife, Jeanene, of Florence, S.C., Don Trump, of Shawsville, Steve Trump, of Shawsville; and four sisters, Madeline Hooper, of Florida, Helen Johnson, of Roanoke, Pauline Sowder, of Salem, and Anne Harless and husband, Herb, of Shawsville.

Sonnie was raised in Shawsville, Va. At eighteen he enlisted in the United States Army and fought in the Korean Warm, achieving Master Sergeant. He was awarded a Purple Heart, three Bronze Stars and other military awards. After his duty, he came home and worked in construction briefly. He began working at the GE Plant in Salem, when it was built and retired in the fall of 1988. During that time he also had other business ventures going.

In 1993 Sonnie moved to Florida. He was a member of the Merritt Island Masonic Lodge #353, Knights Templar, the Order of the Eastern Star Canaveral Chapter #297, and a dual member of Salem Chapter #161 in Salem, Va. He also volunteered as a National Service Officer at the DAV Memorial Center on Merritt Island to help other disabled veterans.

The family will receive friends on Monday, May 20, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Open Door Baptist Church in Christiansburg. There will be a military graveside service on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, with the Rev. Virgil McHone officiating.