James Arthur Cafferty

James A. Cafferty, 75, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away January 17, 2008 at the HospiceCare Center in Louisville, Colorado.Born March 27, 1932 in Middletown, Ohio, to Josiah B. and Mary M. (McCarthy) Cafferty, he was raised in Franklin, Ohio. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 and trained with the Green Beret Special Forces, 77th Division. He was honorably discharged after an injury as a paratrooper in 1954.On December 30, 1953, James married Betty Lea West.Trained as a Tool & Die maker with Fridgidaire, he was then hired by IBM Lexington and transferred to Kentucky in 1958. The Caffertys moved to Winchester, Kentucky in 1964, transferred to Boulder, Colorado with IBM in 1974, then to Boca Raton, FL in 1983. He retired from IBM in 1991.Was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons in Lexington, a member of the Lions Club Minstrel in Winchester, a member of the Kiwanis Club in Longmont, and a member of the Power Squadron Sailing Club in Boca Raton.After suffering a paralyzing stroke in July of 1998, he was relocated to Longmont, CO to be near his daughter and grandsons. After intensive therapy at Life Care Center of Longmont, he moved to his home with his wife in January of 1999. He was frequently sighted around Longmont as he maneuvered himself along in his wheelchair. He pulled weeds as he rolled along, visited with people and was rescued by quite a few when he got into difficult predicaments.Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Mary Jo Brandenburg.He is survived by his wife, Betty Cafferty; daughter, M'Linda Maher-Venrick and her husband, John Venrick; son, Michael A. Cafferty and his wife, Pamela Garver; brother John David Cafferty and his wife, Dixie Jo, and family; brothers-in-law, GeneBrandenburg and family, and Gary West and wife, Marie, and family. He is further survived by grandsons, S. Cody Maher and Nathan J. Maher.A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 2, 2009 at LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont with Roger Manning officiating.Contributions may be made to the National Stroke Association, 9707 E. Easter Lane, Centennial, CO 80112, 303-649-9299. Please share thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.