James Keehmle Ramborger

James (Jim) Keehmle Ramborger, 92, of Chattanooga passed away at a local hospital on Saturday, October 15, 2011. He was born to the late Leland and Mary Pugh Ramborger on January 28, 1919 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was also preceded in death by brothers Phillip and William Ramborger.

Jim was a member of Lynnhaven Colony United Church of Christ in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and attended Christ United Methodist Church in Chattanooga. He held many positions in his home church the longest of which was as a teacher for 28 years of the Senior Adult Bible Class.

He was salutatorian of his class of 1938 in Mount Gilead, Ohio, and proudly received his B.A. from St. Leo College in 1976. He began his Naval career by enlisting in 1939 in Norfolk, Virginia where he also ended his career as a Lieutenant Commander after 31 years and 4 days of service. He called it alpha and omega, a complete circle. During his military career he served on nine ships two of which were Naval Destroyers sunk by bombs and torpedoes. He spent four months in hospitals recovering from his injuries. His other duty stations included teaching three years at the Chinese Naval Academy, two years teaching thermal dynamics at the Naval Post Graduate School and he was chosen to escort the Prince of Wales during a visit to the school. He was a decorated veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Viet Nam War. After retirement from the Navy Jim worked for fourteen years as a consultant engineer for a software company . He was active in AARP holding offices on the local, state and national level and he was a member of American Legion Post 274.

To cherish his memory Jim leaves his wife of 43 years, Dorothy H. Ramborger; sons Robert (Mary Anne) Ramborger, Edmonds, Washington and Terry (Virginia) Ramborger, Peterbrough, New Hampshire; step-daughters Loretta (Ron ) Lankford of Chattanooga, and Donna (Richard) Beale, Virginia Beach, Virginia; step-son Alfred McIntyre of Virginia Beach; sister Margaret Goetshol, San Diego, California; and brother Jacques (Nellie) Ramborger of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. Jim answered to “Gramps” to ten grandchildren, Elizabeth Ramborger, Amy Phillips, James Ramborger, Kipton Tugman, Courtney Lankford, Justin Beale, Carter Beale, Donald McIntyre, Sara LaPage and Laura Ramborger. He was also “Gramps” to his 9 great-grand children.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 20 at 12:30 PM in the East Brainerd Chapel, Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga with Reverend David Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors. The family will have visitation at 11:30 AM at the funeral home. If you wish the family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to: Disabled American Veterans, DAV, Bldg. 6200, 6098 Debra Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411.

Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.