Henry S. Jamison

06/16/1922 - 12/14/2007

Henry S. Jamison, 85, a lifelong resident of Greensburg, died Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. He was born June 16, 1922, to Josephine Latta Jamison and Richard H. Jamison Sr., a prominent Greensburg businessman. Henry was the last of a large family which included his brothers, John, Richard, Hugh, Robert, Joseph, and his sister, Rose. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Nancy; son, Don and his wife, Christina Root, of Burlington, Vt.; daughter, Anne and her husband, Peter Vanable, of Syracuse, N.Y.; and grandsons, Henry and Nathaniel Jamison-Root, and Joseph and Timothy Vanable. In 1939, just after graduating from high school, Henry joined Company I of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and at the beginning of World War II enlisted in the Army. His unit, the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was sent to England at the end of 1943, where it was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division. On D-Day, he and his unit jumped behind German lines in advance of the Allied invasion of Normandy. Henry was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received that day. After the war, Henry continued his education at Mercersburg Academy and Babson College. He worked for several years for his brother, Dick, in coal mines in West Virginia, and spent most of the rest of his career in work connected to the coal industry. All his life, Henry was a member of Christ Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry and, for nearly 50 years, as a lay reader. After retirement, he was an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer, who valued the many friends he made at Meals on Wheels, Westmoreland Regional Hospital and Greensburg-Hempfield Library. Henry will be missed by his many friends for his warmth, kindness, gentle sense of humor, and for seeing the best in everyone. His children would especially like to recognize the extraordinary care provided to Henry by his devoted wife, Nancy, and Kevin Coughanour. They would also like to thank many in the community for their acts of kindness. Family and friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME INC., 524 N. Main St., Greensburg. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Episcopal Church, Greensburg, with the Rev. Lawrence Knotts officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital or the Greensburg-Hempfield Library or a charity of one's choice. Terence L. Graft, funeral director, entrusted with the arrangements. Online information www.kepple-graft.com.