Jim served in the United States Navy 1946 - 1948, after being honorably discharged Jim became a firefighter in Midwest City Oklahoma in March of 1949. In February of 1953 he began working as a firefighter in Los Alamos, New Mexico for the Atomic Energy Commission at the government proving grounds. In May of 1958, he relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado and began a career with the Air Force Academy as a firefighter. Jim then relocated to his final job at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas where he retired on March 31, 1983 holding the position of Assistant Fire Chief. 
Jim met and married Louise Barrick in Midwest City, Oklahoma on August 8, 1951. Their marriage produced 6 sons and 3 daughters with 25 grand children, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. 
Jim loved to hunt, fish and play "42". 
Jim and Louise were married 64 years, 8 months and 25 days. He will be greatly missed. 