James A. Koons Jr.

1934 - 2014

James A. Koons, Jr.

AGE: 82 • Dagsboro

James Arthur Koons, Jr., 82, of Dagsboro, DE, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus, July 25, 2014 after a long journey with metastatic colon cancer.

Jim was born in Fort Meade, MD, on November 14, 1931. He lived most of his life in Laurel, MD, where he completed elementary and high schools. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1953, with a degree in Criminology. Upon his graduation, he was appointed a Commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations until 1955. After two years of civilian service with the Office of Naval Intelligence, he began his career at NSA, and retired in 1989.

At the Agency, Jim served in various upper level line, staff and management positions with the Office of Security, the National Cryptologic Staff and the Communications Security Organization at NSA Headquarters and overseas. Just prior to his retirement, Jim served as the Senior Assistant Inspector General. For his distinguished service, Jim was awarded the NSA Special Act of Service Award and was one of the first recipients of the NSA Meritorious Service Award.

Jim is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 10 years, Joy; sons, Perry (Martha) and Jimmy (Cathe); daughters, Pat Schuit (John) and Marsha Nelson (Steve); ten grandchildren, Perry and Christie Koons, Kate Schuit Bauer, Mark Schuit, Annie Schuit Smith, Paul Schuit, Caryn Schuit and Lynn Schuit, Natalie Nelson Torres, Steven Nelson; stepsons, Joel Gilbert (Danielle), Jeff Gilbert (Tory), and their children, Zachary, Melody, Zoe, Logan, Andrew, Tyler, Grace and Brayden. Jim was also blessed with seven great grandchildren, Ellie, Emmie, Chloe, Leo, Ollie, Ozzie, Xander, and another to be born this fall.

In addition to his parents, James and Emily, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Madge Wellford and Freda Ferguson, and his first wife, Nancy Merson Koons, the mother of his children, who passed away in 1998.

Jim was an active member of the Peninsula Community Church, Selbyville, DE, and a member of the Laurel Wreath Masonic Lodge, Laurel, MD since 1957.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2014, at Peninsula Community Church, 28574 Cypress Road, Selbyville, DE 19975. (Website: pccministry.org).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA, Peninsula Community Church or Delaware Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.