James A. Velvick

1919 - 2010

James A. Velvick, born July 15, 1919 in Peru, Nebraska to Edmund and Effie Wertz Velvick, passed away October 12, 2010 in Grand Junction, Colo.

He enjoyed the companionship of two brothers and one sister, all who preceded him in death. James met Eileen Hart Velvick while attending Peru State Teachers' College. They were married on September 10, 1943. Jim was called into service for his country on February 12, 1941 and enlisted into the Army Air Corp. He began his active duty at Turner Air Field in Georgia, later doing a 15 month tour of duty in North Africa (Egypt) and India. James served as crew chief attending the C-46 and C-47 airplanes. He proudly served in the 1326th Army Air Force, Air Transport Unit until his honorable discharge in November of 1945.

After his discharge from service James enjoyed a long profession as a painting contractor. He and his wife enjoyed a wonderful 67 years of marriage. They moved to Ventura, Calif. from Nebraska in 1966 where they resided until 2005. In 2005 they moved to Grand Junction, Colo. Where Eileen still resides.

Jim, as he liked to be called, was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Effie Wertz Velvick, and his brothers Wesley Velvick, Elmon Velvick and one sister, Lydia Carolee Velvick Meredith. James is survived by many who love him including the following: his wife, Eileen Hart Velvick; his daughters, Beverly Ann Zuerlein, and Vicki Lynne Vandruff. He has five grandchildren; Amy Zuerlein Hudechek, Rory Zuerlein, Becky Zuerlein Lee, Allison Enser, and Michael Vandruff. He also enjoyed being the proud great-grandfather of Justin Hudechek, Shannon Hudechek, Alex Lee, Zachary Lee, Kaylee Brown, and Sadie and Samuel Vandruff.

James was honored with a military service in Grand Junction, Colo. on Oct. 14, 2010. He is interred at Municipal Cemetery, Grand Junction, Colo.