Jeremy J. Bettis

Jeremy James "J, JJ" Bettis, 35, of Lake City, FL formerly of Punta Gorda left this world to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. Jeremy was born June 29, 1978 in Marion, SC and was the son of Frederick W. and Selma S. Bettis. He and his family moved from Florence, SC to Punta Gorda in 1988. Jeremy worshipped and attended school at First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte and Seventh Day Adventist of Port Charlotte. He was an amazing soccer player and enjoyed being active in track and football in high school and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1996. Jeremy studied at University of South Florida in Tampa. He volunteered with the YMCA as a soccer coach and during the summers he enrolled in Professional Aviation Flight Academy and earned his private pilot and instrument license. Jeremy served in the US Air Force and trained to be an Air Traffic Controller . He was a member of the VFW in Lake City. Jeremy will be greatly missed by his parents, Frederick and Selma; sister, Blake D. (Mike Claus) Bettis; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence James Bettis, Lois Mollard Bettis, James Avery Smith and Doris Helen Polatty Smith. A gathering of family and friends will be held 3:00 - 4:00pm, Sunday, October 27, 2013 with a celebration of Jeremy's life to follow at 4pm at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be in the honor of Jeremy James Bettis to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2206, P.O. Box 276, Lake City, FL 32056. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest.