James Hilliard Radcliff, 93, of Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, went home to be with the Lord January 11, 2019 at Halifax Health Hospice Center in Daytona, Florida.
A native of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late Spurgin and Blanche Rhodes Radcliff and the husband of June Blankenship Radcliff, who passed away in 2005. He was also preceded in death by a sister: Margaret Anders and brothers: Harry, Howard, Benny and Hall Radcliff.
He was a Word War II Marine Corp Veteran, and was at Iwo Jima.
After returning from service, he married June Blankenship on November 8, 1947. Shortly after his marriage, they moved to Maryland, where he started to work for the DC Park Police in 1948. His duties included guarding the White House grounds and escorting the Presidents. He worked for 21 years, from Truman to Nixon. He retired in 1969 and moved to Daytona in May of 1970. He worked more than 10 years as a security guard for the dog track at the Daytona Speedway, after which he fully retired.
His neighbors and friends referred to him as “The Perfect Southern Gentleman”. He loved to tell stories of his days in the Marine Corp and also he had some wonderful stories of his work in DC as a police officer. If the told the same stories over and over, it was OK. They were so interesting that you never tired of them.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew Roger Radcliff, all of whom affectionately referred to him as “Uncle Hed’.
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Thursday, January 17, 2019 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home in Burnsville. Rev. Davis Plemmons will officiate. Burial will be in the Scott Cemetery on Prices Creek. The family will receive friend one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
He will be greatly missed by all who loved him, but he is eternally reunited with all his family and loved ones, who went on before him. Rest in eternal peace Uncle ‘Hed’.
To send an online condolence please visit: www.holcombebrothers.com
