James Clarence Pender

"Jimmy"

Birth:  11 Nov 1948 Marissa, St Clair, Illinois
Death:  10 Aug 1973  Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona at the age of 24
Burial:  Double Butte Cemetery in Tempe Arizona

"Jimmy" as he was known to his friends and family was born on November 11th, 1948 in Anna, a small community in Southern Illinois.  Jimmy was the eldest full child of Ethel Edith Hill and Clarence Wiley "Red" Pender.

His mother Ethel had a previous marriage.  She was young when she married; the 1930 census lists her as a 16 year old widow with a married name of Smith.

On April 17, 1929 Ethel gave birth to a daughter named Rosetta Marie in Anna, Illinois . Red claimed her as his daughter and she was then known as Rosetta Pender.  Rosetta was 11 years older than Jimmy.

Rosetta married Robert Ernest Henry Farmer on Sept. 15, 1949 in Arkansas.  Jimmy was 1 year old. Rosetta  died on June 4, 1981, in Chester, Illinois, at the age of 52.

Jimmy had 3 other siblings.  His younger brother Tom was born around 1952.  Twin sisters Wendy (on the left) and Cynthia,aka Cendy (on the right), were born in 1954.




Around 1955, the Pender family moved to Phoenix. Rosetta stayed in Illinois with her husband.  In the 1956 Phoenix City directory, Clarence and Ethel were living at 314 E. Broadway in Phoenix with their 4 youngest children.

Clarence was employed as a Pipe Line Superintendent.  No Phone number was listed. In the 1957 Phoenix City Directory Clarence W and his spouse Ethel were still living at 314 E. Broadway in Phoenix with 4 children. Clarence was employed as a truck driver for the Capital Seed and Feed Company.  Now the family had a phone, BR6-9379.

Jimmy's father died in Phoenix on 26 Nov 1959 at the age of 49 of lung cancer.  His occupation on the death certificate was listed as Sales Manager for a feed company.

He was buried at East Resthaven Cemetery in Phoenix on Nov. 30th, 1959.  Jimmy was 11 years old.

Jimmy was a bright child and he did well in school. If I remember correctly he spent time at the roller skating rink where he learned to dance on skates.

In 1964, at the age of 16, he obtained a Social Security number, likely to facilitate his first actual job.

Jimmy was active in sports and school activities. According to the 1967 South Mountain High annual, he was the class treasurer for both his junior and senior years,  served on the student council his junior year, played tennis for 3 years and football as a senior.

He graduated from South Mountain High school in 1967. He was named student of the month during his senior year.

After graduation, Jimmy obtained an apprenticeship as an electrician.  He joined the union, Local 640 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 640.  In addition to his day work learning the trade, Jimmy attended classes at Maricopa Technical College.

Jimmy's mother, Ethel Edith Hill Pender, died in Phoenix on Oct. 27, 1969 at the age of 56.  She was listed as a housewife on the death certificate.  She died of a heart attack after chocking on some food. She was buried at East Resthaven cemetery next to her husband Clarence.

When his mother passed, Jimmy's younger sisters Cendy and Wendy were still minors, his brother Tom was in the military.  Jimmy went to court and obtained guardianship of his sisters.  

Although his classroom work and on-the-job training kept Jimmy busy, he also found time for leisure activities. In his spare time Jimmy could be found at the race track participating in the Jalopy races, and the bowling alley.

It was around this time that Jimmy began dating Shirley Jean Gates, of the Kyrene, daughter of Melaine and Eli Gates. In the fall of 1970 Jimmy asked Shirley to be his wife.  The engagement was announced in the local paper on Nov. 22, 1970.

The couple was united on December 29th, 1970 at Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona.

The couple moved into a house at 2038 N. Dayton Ave., Phoenix owned by Herb Gates (Shirley's grandfather) and originally owned by William and Gertrude Powell, Shirley's great-grandparents.)

Jimmy completed a 4 year apprenticeship and graduated in the class of 72. He worked hard and was well liked. After completing his studies, he worked as a journeyman electrician with the Howard P Foley Company.



In May 1972, they were blessed by the birth of a baby girl who they named Rachel Melaine.

On July 27, 1972, the couple purchased their own home. It was a small ranchette (Lot 3, Trail End Estates), with a street address of 1837 W Elliot Rd. in Chandler. Soon they were raising a few animals in the pens at the rear of their lot.

On July 26th, 1973 Jimmy was working on the Gila River Indian Reservation in the San Tan area.  He was working on the electrical needs for a grain storage elevator. The structure collapse and he fell head first down the cement lined structure.

He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, in Phoenix where he was diagnosed with severe head injury in additional to many broken bones.

Jimmy passed away on August 10, 1973, at the age of 24. He was survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Rachel; a brother, Tom; and three sisters, Rosetta Farmer of Chester, Illinois, Cynthia and Wendy Pender. He was buried in Double Butte Cemtery.

Shirley filed a $6 million suit against 7 firms involved in the industrial accident.  Both she and her minor daughter received cash settlements.

Jimmy was with us, his wife's family but a short time, but we all still have fond memories of him.