James W. Cudworth

GREENSBORO — On Friday, September 19, 2008, James W. "Jim" Cudworth departed this life to a well deserved place with our Heavenly Father.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, at Muir's Chapel United Methodist Church, with burial at Westminster Gardens Cemetery.

Jim was born to Joseph F. and Gertrude S. Cudworth on November 6, 1920, in Lowel, Massachusetts. His family moved to Greensboro in 1929. He attended Greensboro Senior High School and upon completion he attended and graduated from Kings Business College.

In 1944 he joined the Army Air Corps. Afterwards, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and served with the 379th bomb group, 8th Air Force, as a bombardier aboard a B17. His plane was shot down over Bremen, Germany. He was a POW in Stalag Luft III and 7A for 19 months and was liberated Sunday, April 29, by George S. Patton, Jr. and American forces. Jim said, "I never forgot the American flag. Freedom is not free."

Upon his release from his military service obligation he returned to his job with the City of Greensboro, where he remained for 45 years of service with the traffic engineering department. He also worked at the Greensboro Coliseum.

After his retirement he dedicated a great deal of his time to the Potters House. In 1978 he and his wife, Virginia, helped start the Greater Greensboro Chapter of American Ex-POWs. He has served as the Chapter Commander and State Commander of the North Carolina Ex-POW chapter and also served on the board of directors.

Jim was a Master Mason and a member of Gate City Lodge #694, A 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, KCCH, in the Valley of Greensboro, Orient of North Carolina. He was also a member of Oasis Temple, Charlotte, N.C., Oriental Shrine Club, and Gate City White Shrine of Jerusalem #2. Jim was also a life member of the DAV.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Stanley R. Cudworth and Tom F. Cudworth, and one sister, Dorothy C. Johnson.

He leaves his wife of 65 years, Virginia C. Cudworth; son, James R. "Dick" Cudworth and wife, Beth; son, Garry W. Cudworth and wife, Joan; grandson, Andrew S. Cudworth; step granddaughter, Leah Holt; and great-granddaughter, Sarah E. Dunton, of Greensboro, all who will greatly miss him.

We wish to acknowledge and thank Drs. Hal Stoneking and staff, James Granfortuna and staff, the Cancer Center, Hospice, Whitestone LTC and staff, and Comfort Keepers for their wonderful care and considerations during his time of need.

We request that in lieu of flowers donations be made to either Muir's Chapel United Methodist Church, 314 Muir's Chapel Road, Greensboro, NC 27410; Greensboro Urban Ministry, 305 W. Lee Street, Greensboro, NC 27406; the Alzheimer's Foundation, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215; or Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the family of Mr. Cudworth.

Offer condolences at www.forbisanddick.com