LAST follow up. After working with Verizon second level support we determined that the phone needs to be turned off and back on when changing from one (?group of ??) cell tower to another. Since we travel between the middle of California (near Sacramento) to the west coast (near Mendocino) we pass through several dead spots we expect to continue to have the issue. Verizon (Hannah) said the phone was not defective - it just needs to be reset (off and on) when we travel. This is not a satisfactory answer - but what can we do. I still have to pay for the phone ($7/month). I have purchased a Samsung S8 (refurbished) and used the SIM from the J3 - so now have a working phone without the issue.
CASE CLOSED
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