Mr. James Harry "Pete" Gaddis

James Harry Gaddis, also known as “Pete” was born on November 9, 1942 in Carthage, Mississippi. He was the 11th child and the 7th son of Anderson and Ellen (McGee) Gaddis. Pete passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at the age of 76 years. Because of an illness, he could not perform heavy and difficult labor as his brothers did before him. Therefore, he was allowed to attend school more than his older siblings. His mother demanded excellence of him. He was a top achiever throughout grade school and was valedictorian of his class and captain of the football team. He received the Sears and Roebuck Scholarship to study Agriculture at Alcorn State University. While attending Alcorn, he worked in the poultry plant, played baseball and joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. At Alcorn, he was re-acquainted with Maggie “Pat’ Patrick. They dated for three years and married on June 12, 1964. In the fall of 1963, he joined the U.S. Army. Pete and Pat moved to Gamaund, Germany and after receiving an Honorable Discharge and relocating to Saginaw, MI. he was employed by General Motors Corp. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s Program and accepted a teaching position. Pete taught with the Saginaw Public Schools for 37 years and retired in 2005. Brother Gaddis was a member Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He cherished his many friendships with brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and brothers of Lions Club International. He served in the Brown and Vernon American Legion Post #312 in the following capacities: Commander, Adjunct, Senior Vice-Commander, Historian, and Trustee with over 24 years of continuous service to the Legion. Pete leaves to cherish many memories with his devoted wife, Maggie LaVerne Gaddis; three children, Cora Jorene Peavie, Christopher Pierre Gaddis and Christy Patrice (Richard III) Nickerson; eight grandchildren, Lesle Joi, Symona Jade, Khalia Janay, Tyla Christiana, Autumn Journee, Richard Nickerson IV, Joshua Caleb Nickerson and Zoe Nicole Nickerson; one great-grandchild, Ivory Avanna; three sisters, May Ella (Leon) Crouther, Eleanor Whittington and Elaine (SW) Hamilton; brother, Dan Gaddis (Mary Lee); one sister-in-law, Dorce Jean Gaddis; a special niece, Eudora Logan who was reared as a sister and many loving nieces, nephews cousins, other relatives and friends. Mr. Gaddis was preceded in death by his parents, Anderson and Ellen (McGee) Gaddis; five brothers, Reuben, Thomas, John, Fred and Jaye; two sisters, Mary Ellen Bledsoe and Magnolia Gaddis; son-in-law, Roger Peavie. The family would like to express special thanks to St. Mary’s Ascension Hospital, Evans & Browne’s Funeral Home, Pastor Rodrick A. Smith and the Zion Missionary Baptist Church family, Pastor Emeritus Roosevelt and Nurame Austin, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., American Legion, friends and family for expressions of love. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street, Saginaw, MI 48601. Pastor Rodrick A. Smith will officiate with interment in Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, MI 48442. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The District 11 D-1 Lions will conduct a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. Iota Chi Lamda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will present a service at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. James Harry "Pete" Gaddis

November 9, 1942 - August 27, 2019