James M. Binkley

James Maxwell Binkley 1919 “ 2013Born March 6, 1919 in Clemmons, North Carolina to William Gerome and Lydia (Pegram) BinkleyPreceded in death by wife Lois June (Wendell), brothers; John F., Charles, Howard, Herbert T., and son Gary GerlitzSurvived by: brother Joseph H., sister Mary Pardue, daughters Diane Bierman, Linda Bryan and Lydona Decesare, son Robert Speare, and daughter-in-law Gaye AppelJames served in the U.S. AAF as a Staff Sergeant during WWII from July 1941 until May 1945. He graduated from the Air Corps Technical School as a radio operator in 1942. While stationed in Burma he flew The Hump on combat supply missions. James was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters, a Bronze Star, an Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and a Good Conduct Medal.He married Lois June (Wendell) in 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis, James became an auto mechanic and owned and operated several service stations.He lived in Missouri until 2004, when he moved to Longmont, Colorado, to live with his daughter, Linda, son-in-law Michael and grandchildren, Nathan and Emily.James passed away on July 25, 2013, at Longmont United Hospital. A celebration of his life will be held at the family home Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 2:00 “ 4:00. Please contact Linda Bryan for more information.Military services will be held at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri, date and time to be determined.A Memorial Service will also be held in Clemmons, North Carolina later this year.In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Disabled American Veterans.