James Henry Hitchens IV

James Henry "Buster" Hitchens IV March 23, 1926 – December 25, 2012 James Henry "Buster" Hitchens IV, age 86, of Grand Junction, passed away from this life on December 25, 2012. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edith (Wright) Hitchens and Henry Hitchens III, and a sister, Audrey (Hitchens) West. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rose Marie (Carlucci) Hitchens; a son and daughter-in-law, James Henry "Jim" Hitchens V and Jeanne Miller of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter and son-in-law, Michelle (Hitchens) Donahue and Rafe Donahue of Brentwood, TN; three grandchildren, Harrison Donahue of West Point, NY; Zachary Donahue of Spokane, WA, and Olivia Donahue of Brentwood, TN; two sisters, Eileen (Hitchens) Sagel of Greeley, CO, and Imogene (Hitchens) Monks of Edmonton, Canada; several nieces and nephews. Buster was born on March 23, 1926, in Steamboat Springs, CO and graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1945. He worked in various construction jobs before serving the United States Army from 1952-1954. He was a Veteran of the Korean War. Upon returning from the war, he met the love of his life and they married October 6, 1956. Buster was self-employed for most of his life and enjoyed the freedom of being his own boss. Although considered grumpy by those who didn't know him, he was really a marshmallow on the inside. Nothing gave him more pleasure than his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was swelled up with pride when he learned that his oldest grandson, Harrison, had received and accepted and appointment to the United States Military Academy class of 2015. He was tickled when his second grandson, Zachary decided to "come out west" and attend Gonzaga University to continue his education. He was anxious to learn "what that little Olivia" was going to do after her high school graduation. Now he can watch all of this unfold from the peace and quiet of heaven. Funeral arrangements were made by Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. A graveside funeral was held on December 28, 2012, at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado. Memorial contributions can be made to Disabled Veterans, 2121 North Avenue, Grand Junction, 81501.