James David Honaker

James David Honaker, 68, a longtime resident and fixture of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, died Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at the Medical Center at Bowling Green, after a heroic battle with lymphoma.

Born August 25, 1950, in Garrett, Indiana, to the late James and Betty Jo Beck Honaker, James was the adoring and beloved husband for 16 years of Angie Gibson Honaker.  He honorably and bravely served his nation in Vietnam as a marksman in the United States Marine Corps.  Following the war, James held a number of positions, to include as businessman, engineer, hunting guide, and gentleman farmer.  Although having traveled extensively, being a self-admitted “foodie,” and dined at The White House while meeting the President and First Lady, James was never more at home and happy than sharing one of his many stories, pranks, jokes or deep laughs with family and friends.  He was a man of tremendous kindness and generosity who exuded a firm but fair sincerity.  James treasured the most basic, but precious, gifts in life, to include his family, his friends, his John Deere, a good day of fishing, and all “best value” bargains.  Until his final moments, James battled a rare form of lymphoma with unmatched strength and determination, and asked for neither sympathy nor pity; nonetheless, he knew always that no one fights alone, and he was enormously grateful for the support of so many.  To all who knew him, James was far more than a great man…he was a good man.

In addition to his wife, James is the proud and devoted father of three daughters, Colonel Tara Rochelle (Mark) Lunardi, USAF, of Springfield, Virginia, Tara R. Pickens of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, and Amanda N. Roy, Campbellsville, Kentucky; and one son, Todd Ryan (Jayme) Honaker of Hendersonville, Tennessee.  He is also the beaming grandfather of Lance Corporal Andrew Lunardi, USMC, Nicole Lunardi, Gabriella Pickens, Ava Roy, Dreagon Ramsey, Honor Ramsey, Talon Ramsey, Salem Ramsey, and Drystan Rico.  James is also the dear brother of Janelle (Steve) Graber of Auburn, Indiana, and Timothy (Sharon) Honaker of Chicago, Illinois.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Christy Kelly, and two brothers-in-law, Barry Gibson and Tony Gibson, as well as several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Honaker, and his sister Julie Honaker.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations on James’ behalf to either the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or the Lymphoma Research Foundation (https://www.lymphoma.org).