James Marion Morford

Services for James M. Morford of Mesa will be Monday 1-5-15 at Via Church (formerly Red Mountain Christian Center) at 10:00 AM. Burial at Mesa City Cemetery following the service. A dinner will be served at the church following burial. The church is located at Adobe and Power. NW corner.

Jim was born at home on March 23, 1922, in Rush County, Indiana, and died at home in Mesa, December 20, 2014. His parents, Raymond and Vina, had five other children: Helen, Robert, twins Billy Joe and Bonnie, and Eugene. They were farmers and the children learned to work hard. All the boys went into military service. In 1943, Jim was called to service in WWII, and wound up in the Army Air Corps, which he has said he dearly loved. He was proud to serve and loved "his pilots" as he called them. I am only sorry that he never shared his experiences with us afterwards. His 362nd Fighter Squadron was heavily involved in defeating Germany. Later, brother Eugene would be killed in Korea.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 2011. He is survived by daughters in Indiana, Sue and Judy; by daughter Jerri of Arizona, daughter Barb of Texas, daughter Joyce of South Dakota, fourteen grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, brother BJ and sister Bonnie, and his beloved dog Lady. Also the many friends he had at Velda Rose, his home in Mesa for more than 20 years.

He was a greeter at the church for 20 years along with Helen until her illness began. Dad was the Phoenix Suns biggest fan going back to the beginning, and loved watching Sun Devil football. He loved camping and spending time in Pine. He and Helen travelled the country in their motor home, visiting friends and relatives. He was still walking Lady around the neighborhood as recently as six months ago. Dad loved people and hugging people. He wrote this little poem for us:

Remember me with hugs and laughter, that's how I'll remember you all.

If you can only remember me with tears and sadness, then don't remember me at all.

www.LakeshoreMort.com