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 1916 - 2004 (87 years)
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- James "Jake" Colvin was born at White Rock in Lincoln County on September 4, 1916 to the late Robert Lee and Nancy Jane (Hogan) Colvin.
He was the valedictorian of his 1933 class of Lincolnton High School. In 1937 he was awarded, with honors, an AB degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. His college medals and awards included Demonsthenian Key, Freshman Debating Key, Championship Debating Team and The William Jennings Bryan Award in history. He also held the LLB and LLM degrees from the Atlanta Law School.
Compatriot Colvin was the beloved principal and teacher of Fayette County High School for four years. During World War II, he was drafted into the United States Army where he was a loyal patriot who served his country with distinction. Within sixteen months, he rose in rank from Private to Captain. On April 10, 1942, he was selected to be commanding officer for the day for his graduation exercises from Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning. This was in recognition of his being the first honor graduate of the OCS class.
He was chosen to be the Company Commander of 3rd Battalion, 338th Infantry of the 85th Division and served on foreign fields of Africa and Italy for two and one-half years. Though he was seriously wounded south of Rome, Italy, on May 31, 1944, he later returned to his unit. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf cluster, the European Theater Ribbon and three campaign stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation Award, and the Victory Medal and other service ribbons.
After being honorably discharged from the United States Army, Compatriot Colvin continued to serve his country through employment with Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs in Atlanta. For 21 years he held several positions of management with Lockheed. Following early retirement, he was employed by the Georgia State Crime Commission as a senior partner.
Compatriot Colvin was an active member of the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church where he held many positions of leadership and was a proud member of the Appelles Sunday School Class. He was honored to be inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution, joining the Piedmont Chapter on February 2, 2001. He was a descendant of Patriot Samuel Hawes from Essex, Virginia.
Survivors include his wife, Lois, of 52 years, two daughters, Beth Colvin Huff and Jan Colvin Davenport, two grandchildren, Melanie Elizabeth Davenport and Tyler Colvin Davenport, two sons-in-law, Dr. John Huff (who played "taps" at the burial service) and David Davenport, two sisters, Etta E. Holmes and Martha C. Wynne and many nieces and nephews.
Jake was a committed follower of Christ; an obedient and appreciative son; a loving husband; proud father; adoring grandfather; courageous and preserving soldier and citizen; a loyal friend and a teacher who challenged his students.
Jake joined the SAR in 2001 under Patriot Samuel Hawes who was commissioned as Captain, 2nd Virginia Regiment on February 19, 1776. Patriot Hawes continued to serve until the close of the war at which time he ranked as a Lieutenant Colonel. Samuel Hawes was born in Essex County, Virginia in 1759 and died in August 1786 in Essex County, Virginia.
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