Born in Pittsburgh, Pa and raised in Anacostia, D.C., died February 03, 2018, at his residence at Greenspring Retirement Village in Springfield, VA, of natural causes. Beloved husband for 47 years of Jean C. Upp (died in 2006); father of son David and daughter-in-law Lyn (of Burke, VA), daughter Jane(died 2016), and Elizabeth and son-in-law David (of State College, PA); doting grandfather to Ben and Rachel (of State College, PA). James was an Ohio State University graduate who then rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. His honorable military service of 20+ years includes serving as a member of a combat crew flying escort missions during the Vietnam War.Upon retirement from the military, he went on to be Vice President of the Metrology and Systems Support Division at Unified Industries Incorporated of Springfield, Va during which time he was a long time resident of Fairfax, VA. Upon retirement from Unified Industries, James went on to earn multiple volunteer services awards, including the President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award for the many hours (4000+) he spent helping others at Greenspring Retirement Village, Springfield, VA. He will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him as someone who was caring, warm, loyal, and always there to lend a hand. The INOVA system has taken care of James for years. We are requesting donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the link below. https://foundation.inova.org/donate-now