James George Todd, III, born December 1, 1940, passed away peacefully in his home on August 4, 2015, surrounded by his family. Jim was born and raised on North Street in Olde Towne. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1959, where he excelled in football and other sports. He was proud of his alma mater and forged many friendships that he maintained throughout his life, particularly Bill Brennan and Bob Tieslau.
Like his father, Jim attended VMI. He had a lifelong interest in militaria. He loved Civil War history and was an avid collector of memorabilia from that era and other things of historical significance.
Jim was pre-deceased by his father, James George Todd, Jr. and his mother Jennie Hardin Dunn Todd, otherwise known as "Bum Bum" by her grandchildren; and Julia Todd. Jim and his mother were very close and in her later years, it was the highlight of her day for Jim to arrive at 411 with the newspaper and share breakfast with her.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jean; his two devoted daughters, Elizabeth Adair Wilson (Steve) and Holly Lewis (Andrew); four grandchildren, Peyton Wilson, Corbin Wilson, Andrew Lewis, and Chandler Shearin; his sister and best friend, Margaret Todd Dickenson (Fred); brothers, David Gill Todd (Debbie), and Richard Dunn Todd (Lorrie); many nieces and nephews, step-children and step-grandchildren. They all will miss him dearly. Jim was very proud of his brother David's involvement with the band Soul Intent and, along with friends and family members, attended events when they played locally.
Jim loved to walk his dog, Paprika, through Olde Towne, stopping to talk with many friends along the way. He was a member of the morning coffee group that met at various locations downtown. Jim was also a charter member of the Dinwiddie Mafia and socialized with all the "made" members at porch parties hosted by the Boss, John and his wife, Joanne. Jim's "Todd Eggnog" was the hit of the annual DM Christmas party and as John says, "Who's going to make the eggnog now?"
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2015 in Cedar Grove Cemetery, 305 Fort Lane, by Father J. Derek Harbin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Portsmouth Humane Society, 4022 Seaboard Ct., Portsmouth, VA 23701. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com