Jim grew up in Leipsic with his brother and three sisters. He delivered the Blue Streak Toledo Blade newspaper after school, worked on a hay bailer for several summers, and enjoyed hunting. Jim graduated from Leipsic High School in 1950. In 1956 he met Anita Dillon on a blind date, and it was love at first sight. They were married on June 2, 1957, and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
In 1952 Jim enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served for 33 years (1952 – 1985) and obtained the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Additional tours of duty included Okinawa, three more assignments in Korea, three assignments in Germany, and assignments at various stateside locations (Fort Knox, KY; Rochester, NY; Fort Devens, MA; and Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO). During his last tour in Germany, he was selected as the second enlisted commandant of the Seventh Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Bad Tölz. He served in that position for nearly three years.
Following his Army retirement, Jim worked as a mail carrier in Aurora, CO. Later, he designed and helped build a home in the Wet Mountains, near Westcliffe, CO, where he and Anita lived for 18 years.
Together Jim and Anita were the loving parents and grandparents of three children and four grandchildren. Jim was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his family doing various activities, which included hiking, camping, RVing, skiing, and traveling throughout the United States and Europe. Jim also enjoyed woodworking and giving family members and friends his various creations.
Jim grew up in Leipsic with his brother and three sisters. He delivered the Blue Streak Toledo Blade newspaper after school, worked on a hay bailer for several summers, and enjoyed hunting. Jim graduated from Leipsic High School in 1950. In 1956 he met Anita Dillon on a blind date, and it was love at first sight. They were married on June 2, 1957, and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
In 1952 Jim enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served for 33 years (1952 – 1985) and obtained the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Additional tours of duty included Okinawa, three more assignments in Korea, three assignments in Germany, and assignments at various stateside locations (Fort Knox, KY; Rochester, NY; Fort Devens, MA; and Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO). During his last tour in Germany, he was selected as the second enlisted commandant of the Seventh Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Bad Tölz. He served in that position for nearly three years.
Following his Army retirement, Jim worked as a mail carrier in Aurora, CO. Later, he designed and helped build a home in the Wet Mountains, near Westcliffe, CO, where he and Anita lived for 18 years.
Together Jim and Anita were the loving parents and grandparents of three children and four grandchildren. Jim was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his family doing various activities, which included hiking, camping, RVing, skiing, and traveling throughout the United States and Europe. Jim also enjoyed woodworking and giving family members and friends his various creations.
Inscription
CSM US Army
Korea, Vietnam
Gravesite Details
Interred: Jun 10, 2022
Family Members
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