James Douglas Backer, fondly known as Jim, passed away at home in Lynchburg, Virginia on March 8, 2018. He was born on September 22, 1952, in Long Branch, N.J. and spent most of his life in Wall Township, N.J. until retiring to Virginia. He is survived by his loving wife, Penny Backer; son, Kevin Backer of Montchanin, Del.; stepson, Michael Toney of Madison Heights; and brother, Tommy Backer of Fort Myers Beach, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Dorothy Backer; and three siblings, Stephanie, Chester, and Jean. Jim played football during school years and college. He was an avid New York Giants fan. Jim later went to work for the telephone company and was with them for 30 years beginning with "MA Bell" on through to Verizon. He belonged to the Local 827 IBEW. Even though he was not very demonstrative, he loved his family and was a dedicated provider and that was very important to him. He had a gruff exterior that gave way to a beautiful heart. Jim had the ability to grow almost anything and loved working in the yard. In addition, he was quite the handyman. There was almost nothing that he would not tackle and cared very much that the job be done right. Jim was a member of Living Water Ministries in Lynchburg, Va. for many years. On a later date TBD, there will be a small memorial at the new church site. If you would like to do something in his honor, you can give to the Living Water Ministries building fund. That is something he really would have liked. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.