James Hamilton Balderson

1937 - 2025

James Hamilton Balderson of Easton, MD departed this life on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Bayleigh Chase retirement community in Easton.

Born on January 7, 1937 in Talbot County, MD, he was the son of the late James Alexander Balderson and Marguerite Duncan Balderson of Oxford, MD. He was raised in Oxford and it always held a special place in his heart. He graduated from Easton High School in 1955. He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years, the late Joyce Ann Bramble Balderson of Cambridge, MD.

Jim served honorably as an active duty US Marine at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, DC from 1955-1958. He was an exemplary Marine and earned many honors and recognitions during his service there. His commitment to his beloved Corps continued throughout his life and he was a member of the Marine Corps League for many years.

He was a career Maryland State Trooper retiring as a Sergeant in 1981 after 22 years of dedicated service. He served loyally and honorably alongside many family members during his tenure and he cherished those memories. In his duties as a Trooper, he took pride in helping and protecting his family and friends in the community he loved so dearly.

Those that knew Jim will tell you that he never sat still in retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman for most of his life enjoying fishing and hunting in and around his home in Dorchester County, MD and was a member of the "Malkus Gunning Club" for many years. He loved working on the water as a crabber for over 25 years. He loved to travel with his wife Joyce, as well as with many friends and family, and traveled to countless destinations over the years. He was a voracious reader of all genres of books.

His strong love of God and community was exemplified by his membership at Milton United Methodist Church in Woolford, MD for over 50 years, the Elks Lodge in Easton, MD for over 60 years, and Cambridge Masonic Lodge for over 50 years.

He is survived by his daughter Michele Murray Balderson and wife Gráinne of Marshfield, MA, son Keith Balderson and wife Mary of Weatherford, TX, his brothers John Duncan Balderson and wife Jadine of Raleigh, NC and Joseph Alexander Balderson and wife Kimerly of Trappe, MD, grandchildren Sarah Emily Taylor of Williamsburg, VA, Miles Alexander James Taylor of Greenville, SC, Duncan Alexander Balderson of Stillwater, OK, Corey Malone-Smolla Ryser of Washington, DC, Dylan Eliot Smolla of Brooklyn, NY, Carter Thomas Balderson of Weatherford, TX and Graham Parker Balderson of Stillwater, OK, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Oxford, MD on Saturday, February 1, at 1:00PM with interment and graveside service following at Oxford Cemetery, Oxford, MD. There will be a reception immediately following the graveside service at the church's fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Jim's memory be made to the non-profit organization Semper Fi & America's Fund.

For online condolences, please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com