James O. "Jim" Gaither

Ret. Sgt. Major James O. "Jim" Gaither December 13, 1941 - July 10, 2004 PHENIX CITY, AL - On July 10 our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, James Odas Gaither, departed this earth to forever reside in heaven with his dear savior, Jesus Christ. Funeral services with full military honors will be held 11 a.m. est Tuesday at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Smiths Station, Ala., with Reverend John Rigby officiating according to Vance Memorial Chapel in Phenix City. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. est. The United States Army will serve as active pallbearers and the Andrew Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers. Jim was born on December 13, 1941 in Breckinridge County, Ky., to the late Henry Gaither and Aline Stevenson Gaither. Jim was a graduate of Troy State University. Jim retired from the U.S. Army with 21 years of service in which the majority of his years were spent as a proud member of the U.S. Army Special Forces. His service awards include: Meritorious Service medal w/ oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star /w olc, Purple Heart w/ olc, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm Combat Infantryman's Badge, Republic of Vietnam Jump Wings, British Parachute Wings, Master parachute Wings, and numerous other awards. During his military career, SGM. Gaither was an instructor at the U.S. Army Special Forces School, U.S. Army Airborne School, and Columbus State College ROTC Program. Upon retirement, SGM. Gaither served as an instructor with the JROTC detachment at Spencer High School, continuing his lifelong commitment to training America's leaders. He was a member of the American Legion and Special Operations Assistant. Jim was also a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church. Other than his parents, SGM. Gaither is preceded in death by his older brother. Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Alah Virginia Walker Gaither of Phenix City; their children and spouses: Everett and Mary Bennett of Cumming, Ga., David and Deondra Smith of Phenix City, James Edward Gaither of Leitchfield, Ky., David and Tracy Gaither of Leitchfield, Duane and Vickie Gaither of Smiths Station, Ala., Chris and Candy Mayhand of Cataula, Ga., James Odas and Allison Gaither, II.; grandchildren; Leslie and Chris Miller, Arrina LeAnn Bennett and fiance' Benjamin Allen Brasher, James Clayton Gaither, William Thomas Gaither, Corey Ryan Pelt, Marrisa Gaither, Cody Daniel Mayhand, Virginia Marie Gaither, Cyndal Michelle Goodwin, Miranda Danielle Smith, Kimberly Eileen Gaither, Devan Wayne Miller, and Donovan Wayne Gaither; great grandchild, Hailey Grace Miller; aunts, uncles, cousins; Murray and Freda Stevenson of Breckinridge, Jube and Barbara Stevenson of Breckinridge.