James H Monteith

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of James (Jim) Howard Monteith, who departed this life on January 26, 2026, at the age of 92 in Williamsburg, VA. Born on December 8, 1933, in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Jim led a life marked by service, dedication, and love for his family and community.

Jim proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, earning honors such as the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Korean Service Medal. He continued his work as an esteemed Electrical Engineer, contributing significantly to NASA over a 26-year career in both the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs as well as co-inventor for a patent. His academic pursuits led him to earn a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Akron and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia.

Jim met his wife Juanita of 60 years while they were both working in Cleveland, OH. They married in 1959 and moved to the Tidewater area of Virginia in 1963 where they Remained.

A man of many interests, Jim found joy in fishing, golfing, and traveling. He cherished every moment spent with his family, creating memories that will be treasured forever. His commitment to community service was evident in his volunteer work with the Newport News, VA Police Department.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James G. Monteith and Dorothy (DuRoss) Bell; his loving wife, Juanita Monteith; his granddaughter, Grace Monteith; and his sisters, Suzanne (Sue) Kowal and Nancy (Becky) Svonovec. He leaves behind a legacy of love through his surviving family: his sister Patricia (Pat) Buddell (John), his son Martin (Barbara), his grandchildren Kelly and Ryan (Emmy), and his great- granddaughter Mia.

A memorial service and interment will be held on 13 April at 11:00am at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery to honor and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to At Home Hospice Care or the American Cancer Society, two organizations close to Jim's heart.

Jim will be remembered for his quiet reserve, gentle and loving spirit, and his profound impact on those around him. He loved to fix things and solve problems with his strong engineering mindset. He always had a wonderful way of helping, giving and teaching, and especially expressing the love he shared with family and friends. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.