James Fannon Jr.

James Fannon Jr. NORFOLK - James E. Fannon Jr., 75, passed away at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010 after a long illness. Born in Norwich, Conn., he lived in Pawcatuck, Conn., and was the son of the late James and Jeannette Smigiel Fannon. "Jim" was a Mason and a member of Owens Lodge in Norfolk. He was also an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Norfolk where he served on the Vestry. He was always available to help with whatever was needed. He was very active with the Boy Scouts serving as District Merit Badge Counselor and was also a Charter Organization representative for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts who met at the church. Jim retired from the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant commander in 1977 after 21 years. He received his Wings of Gold in l957. He served with VA-65 at Oceana. During his career he flew 58 different aircraft. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md. He spent several years testing the aircraft carrier based E2 airplane command and weapons systems. He flew in Vietnam in 1966 aboard the USS Constitution. He was awarded four Air Medals with 1 gold star, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 star, Republic of S. Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Armed Forces Defense Medal. Jim attended the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif., after a tour in Sicily. He went to Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C., before retiring. Jim also held a commercial pilot's license. Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Stevens Fannon; a son, James Stephen Fannon and his wife Elmira, who resides in Manassas, Va. He has three grandchildrenwhom he adored. They are Ashley Nicole, Alexis Sierra and Madina Anna Fannon, all of Manassas. He also has a stepdaughter, Ana Kurmanbaeva of London; a sister, Marilyn Brunelle (Bill) of Westerly, R.I. He had several nieces and nephews and was great-uncle to four special little girls in Texas, Caitlin, Emma, Madeline and Olivia, A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, in the Episcopal Church of the Ascension ,405 Talbot Hall Road, Norfolk, VA 23505 by the Rev David W. Davenport. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Jim requests donations be made to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Norfolk or to the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4464, Houston TX, 77210-4464 Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.