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James Condon Obituary
He was born April 8, 1934, in Dayton, to the late Russell E. and Clara (Stocker) Condon. He was raised in West Milton, and moved to Versailles, in 1945. Upon graduation from Parker Vocational High School in Dayton, in 1952, he worked at the Frigidaire Division of GM and joined the Ohio Air National Guard.
He joined the United States Air Force in October 1954 and entered the Aviation Cadet Program at Ellington AFB in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation in December 1955, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and received his Navigator/Bombadier Wings. During his career, he flew B-47 and B-52 bombers amassing 6,000 flying hours. He flew 126 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He was shot down over Hanoi, North Vietnam on Dec. 28, 1972, was captured and spent 91 days as a POW. From 1973 to 1978 he attended Air War College in Alabama and served on the staff of 15th Air Force in California. After his retirement in 1978, he and his family moved to Versailles.
During his combined 26 years of service he received many awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, POW Medal and the Air Medal w/5 Oak Leaf Clusters.
He along with his wife owned and operated The House of Flowers in Versailles, for 19 years. During this time he was very active in the community. He served a term on village council, was on the board of the Versailles Development Association, was on the Poultry Days Committee serving as chairman in 1983 and was one of the founders and served on the board of Heritage Park. He was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church, a member of the Versailles Lions Club, the Versailles Area Historical Society, a Golden Eagle Member of the Versailles Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2347, the Versailles Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, a member of the Darke County Disabled American Veterans and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Rita Condon, sister Maria and grandson Nathan Condon.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jenny (Siefring) Condon; children and spouses, Brian and Barb Condon, Krista and Charlie Krueger, Mary Beth and Dave Berger and Kelly and Brian Trump, all of Versailles; 18 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brothers and sister, Fred and Roberta Condon, Dick and Angie Condon, Bob and Becky Condon and Marcia and Chuck Meiring, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 3, 2013, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles with the Rev. David Vincent as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Valbert Cemetery in Versailles with military graveside services conducted by the Versailles Veterans Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Monday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Versailles Vet's Club or Versailles Emergency Medical Services.
Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Condon
Bill and Linda Berger
June 7, 2013
Sending our sympathy to the Condon and Berger Family and to thank Jim for his service to our country.
Lloyd Bryant
June 2, 2013
Jenny, I'm saddened to receive the news about Jim which was sent to the River Rats organization by your daughter. As you may remember, he was the Radar Navigator on my first B-52 crew at Turner AFB in Albany, Georgia, along with Gene (Swede) Brown, JIm Hendrickson, and John Cooper. I was Jim's Navigator during our first combat tour of duty for six months out of Andersen AFB, Guam, back in 1966. When we all went our separate ways after Turner closed, I lost track of the rest of the crew until the news about Swede in 1967. After that I was back in Vietnam flying F-4 fighters, then in Germany for three years, followed by an AFIT assignment, then assignment to Wright-Patterson AFB. I saw you and JIm several times after that, first at a POW event where I was narrator for a special historic flag ceremony, then at the Wright-Patterson BX occasionally over the following years, and most recently, if memory serves, at the River Rats reunion I emceed at the Air Force Museum. Jim was an excellent mentor for a new guy like me when we flew together in those early days, and I will always hold him in the highest regard for his professionalism and devotion to duty. It is an honor to have known him and served with him. God's blessings on you and your family at this difficult time.
Randy Brown
June 2, 2013
Not knowing Mr. Condon, I can only view his life through my friend and his son, Brian. He did a pretty good job as a father. I thank him for his service, and the sacrifices that he and the whole family made for me. My prayers and the prayers of our church will be with all of the family. May the God of comfort truly comfort all of you.
Pastor Randy Brown and Northside Community Fellowship
Larry Martin
June 2, 2013
To my neighbors and friends in the Condon Family, I offer my sincere condolences.
Walter & Vera Bills
June 1, 2013
Jenny. Our paths crossed many times while we served in the US Air Force giving us many fond memories. You two were a class act always ready to help when needed. We have lost a hero who was willing to die for our country. I salute you James Condon.
Dave Berger
June 1, 2013
Jenny, from my initial meeting with Jim and the slight bit of intimidation I felt based on who he was and up to the present and the bond or unspoken understanding I know we had, my respect for Jim never wavered. Sharing the front seat as either pilot or co-pilot as we drove around the the area, the county, the state and eventually out of state chasing the kids was priceless. We discussed the game, the race, those pesky ref's, politics, where to stop and you name it, all as we fit in the ongoing debate with you ladies in the back on if we know where we were going. I will miss him but I will keep driving straight ahead, constantly looking for the right route.
Dave
carrie Dehart waymire
May 31, 2013
Your husband grandfather and daddy will be truly missed by evrtyone in our small village sorry for your loss
Carolyn Waymire
May 31, 2013
Don and I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the famIly esp. Jim's lovely wife. The town of Versailles has lost a very good man. I hope that Jim knew he was very much appreciated. He was always trully a wonderful man. He was a gente man and a gentleman! Lastly he gave sooo much to the USA and I and many others appreciate that. Sincerely, Carolyn M. Waymire
Joni, Ted, Brooke & Brayden Robinson
May 31, 2013
The entire Condon family has our deepest sympathy and is in our prayers. Jim will truly be missed in our community.
Dick & Duchess Heitman
May 31, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to Jenny and the Condon family. May the Love of family and friends support you in this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tom and Matie Tyson
May 31, 2013
Jenny, Kelly and family, so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kelly's emails have been so nice in keeping us informed on his situtation. So many of us have so many fond memories.
John & Margie Cooper
May 31, 2013
We have lost one of the truly good guys. We hold many fond memories of our Air Force days together, and are thankful that we were able to reconnect in recent years. Our sincere sympathy to Jenny and all of Jim's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May 31, 2013
Bob and Becky, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. To the Condon family you have our deepest sympathy.
Steve & Jo Varner (Las Vegas, NV)
May 31, 2013
Bob & Becky and all of the Condon family you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.Marilyn & Denny Petitjean Yuma,AZ
May 31, 2013
Words cannot express our loss for your family. We have so many wonderful memories from over the years. You and your family our in our prayers. Abbie & Gerry Dupont
Kent and Julie Kimmel
May 31, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Kathy (Magoto) & Steve Monnin
May 30, 2013
Our prayers are always answered, but not always as we hope for. Sincere sympathy to the family. You remain in our prayers.
Karen (Gilliland) French
May 30, 2013
Marcie and Chuck and the Condon Family. Sympathies on your loss. You are in my prayers.
Susan Greenaway
May 30, 2013
To the entire Condon Family - We are so sorry for your loss! You are all in our thoughts and prayers! Sam & Nancy Greenaway, Susan Greenaway
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