James “Jim” Esco

Mr. James H. “Jim” Esco, 97, of Thomaston, died Friday, May 11, 2018, at Riverside Health & Rehab.Funeral services for Mr. Esco will be held Tuesday, May 15 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home. Rev. Eddie Herring and Mr. Frank King will officiate, and interment will follow in South View Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home on Monday evening, May 14 from 6-8 p.m.Mr. Esco was born in Barrow County, Ga. on June 7, 1920. He was president of Colonial Baking Company in Indianapolis. During his career, he was involved in the development of Stove Top Stuffing with General Mills. He was a member of the Indiana Bakers Club for 12 years and the Atlanta BakersClub for eight years. Mr. Esco was a Mason for more than 70 years, a Shriner for more than 60 years, and Scottish Rite for more than 50 years. In the 1980s he was a sponsor of the Indy 500, and he was involved with the old timer’s division of Indy cars. He resided several years at West Village Retirement Community in Thomaston. Mr. Esco was a longtime Kiwanian and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Thomaston.Mr. Esco was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Nell Esco and a son, William Phillip Esco.Survivors include his son, James R. “Dick” Esco of Barnesville; one sister, Lois Thompson of Winder, Ga.; five grandchildren, John Mark (Stacey) Esco of Thomaston, Sara Kathryn (Phil) Spivey of Thomasville, Ga., Amanda Elizabeth (Russ) Moon of Colbert, Ga., Jimmy (Stacy) Esco of Brandon, Miss. and Ricky Esco of College Station Texas. Several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren also survive.Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities or First United Methodist Church of Thomaston, PO Box 707, Thomaston, GA 30286.Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.