James C. Magness

1923 - 2022

James left this earth after dedicating his life to family and Country. He served in the US Marine Corps during WWII achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. His duty stations included Guantanamo Bay Cuba, New Caledonia South Pacific, and Guadalcanal. Eventually, he was stationed aboard USS South Dakota BB57, where he saw action at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Guam. James was credited with saving the ship when he manned the anti-aircraft gun and downed an attacking enemy torpedo plane. He received medals for the Philippines Liberation Campaign as well as other Service Medals. In civilian life, he was an accomplished over the road truck driver, eventually retiring from US Steel. James is survived by his wife of sixty-one years Joyce C. Magness, two sons James D Magness, Bob Magness, two daughters Pam Fritz, Julie Magness-Chastain, two stepsons, Charles Romine, Dale Romine, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. James will be interred in the Houston National Cemetery.