MsGt James A. Earhart

1929 - 2022

Master Sergeant James A. Earhart, 92, passed away at Veterans Affairs Northport Hospital in New York.

MSgt Earhart was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 5, 1929, the son of Sidney Thomas and Margaret Jane (Carlton) Earhart. He graduated from Goshen High School (Ohio) in 1948 and joined the US Air Force, then reenlisted in the US Army in 1953 and retired from military service in 1974 with 23 years of service. His many tours of duty included service in Germany, England, Korea, Vietnam, and the United States, where he retired as senior instructor with the US Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. His awards included several decorations and commendations. In 1979, he graduated from Columbus College (now Columbus State University), where he earned a BBA degree in Accounting and was employed as a Housing Manager at Fort Benning and USAG Yongsan, Korea, retiring in 1991 after 17 years of Civil Service.

He remained an active community volunteer with the Fort Benning Retiree Section, RSVP, and other community programs. He was a volunteer coordinator and tax preparer with the AARP tax preparation program for many years. He was a senior director of the CSU Alumni Council, a member of the Fort Benning Retiree Council, and a Secretary of the Muscogee Coin Club.

He was a Mason, a member and past member of Fort Benning Masonic Lodge #57, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Royal Arch Mason, National Sojourner, a charter member of the West Georgia Daylight Lodge #760, and a National Shriner.

He enjoyed his retirement and was involved in activities in the Columbus area. He was a faithful member of the SOS Breakfast Club and the ComElec Breakfast Club as well as the Columbus Chapters of USAF Assoc, AUSA, DAV, & VFW. He was an enthusiastic hobbyist and collector, and built several model sailing ships.

He loved his family and communicated regularly with his daughter and grandchildren in Long Island, New York. He loved pets and received much comfort and satisfaction from them, especially Mimi. He was a widower, his beloved wife of 59 years, Il Chon (Skochie) Earhart, passed away on July 29th, 2021.

Survivors included his daughter, Cynthia Sue, and her husband, David Sussman of Melville, NY; Grandchildren Alexander Sussman of Chicago, IL, Rebecca Sussman of Bayville, NY, and Benjamin Sussman of Huntington, NY; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held on December 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery.