James P. (Jim) Normile, Jr.

James P. (Jim) Normile, Jr. of Springfield, Missouri passed away at his home on October 28th, 2014 just shy of this 91st birthday with his loving, devoted wife and soul mate, Linda at his side. “Big Jim” was born in Kansas City, Kansas on November 5, 1923, the eldest son of James and Ruth Normile. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lora; son, Kerry Sid; elder sister, Edith Protaskey; younger brother, John; and 2 great-grandsons, James P (James) V and Charlie Finn Normile. In addition to wife, Linda, Jim is survived by his son, COL (ret) James P (Pat) Normile III (Dr. Loretta) of Olney, MD; 2 grandchildren, James P (Jay) Normile IV (Elise) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Wendy Sauceda (Tom) of Austin, TX; and 7 great-grandchildren, Gaela, Jack Kerry, and Lola Normile, Alex, Caitlin, Nathan and Jacob Sauceda. He is also survived by his younger sister, Ruthie Johnson of Shawnee, KS and by many Normile and Johnson clan nieces and nephews. After graduation from Argentine high school in 1942, Jim and his fellow “greatest generation Americans” signed up for the US Navy to fight in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese for the duration of WWII. He served with distinction and honor as one of the first crew members aboard the USS Half Moon, a “black cat squadron” sea plane tender. An electricians mate 3nd class in the Engine room, he fought valiantly and was credited with several enemy aircraft kills as a quad 40’s gunner during the battles of New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Leyte in the Philippines. He remained a loyal member of the USS Half Moon Association and attended several reunions with his former shipmates after the war. His naval photo hangs in the Bob Dole Center at the University of Kansas with his other WWII comrades. After the war, Jim raised his family in both San Diego, CA and Roeland Park, KS. He worked at Swift and Company for 9 years and was in the trucking industry for over 23 years. He retired in 1983 after serving as sales manager at both Capitol Truck Lines, and Graves Truck Lines. His final position was as a Terminal Manager in Fort Scott, KS. Jim loved his annual fishing trips with family and his good buddy, Carl. He also loved to vacation in San Diego and to ’hit the casinos’ in Las Vegas, Oklahoma and all the new places too. Jim’s family and friends will miss “Big Jim” dearly! Funeral arrangements are being made at Maple Hill Funeral Home at 3300 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, KS. Family and friends can pay their last respects to Jim from 6-8:30 PM on Friday, October 31st. A rosary will be said at 8 PM. Jim’s life will be celebrated and then his burial will be at the Maple Hill cemetery on November 1, 2014 at 10 AM. To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.maplehillfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

James P. (Jim) Normile, Jr.

November 5, 1923 - October 28, 2014