On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, James Thomas (Jim) Woltz died at Providence Hospital in Mobile. He was 85 years old. He is survived by his cherished wife of 64 years, Lorraine Beverly (Stevenson) Woltz. His four surviving children and children-in-law, Kenneth and Michelle Woltz of Colorado, Barbara Woltz Johnson and her husband Myland Johnson of Alabama, Robert and Vicki Woltz, and Perry and Vivian Woltz both of Florida, will sorely miss their Dad. Jim is further survived by eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Jim will lastly be missed by his loyal Black Labrador, Annie Woltz, just as he was “Dad” to Annie’s Golden Labrador mother, the late Julie Woltz. The family gathered at his daughter Barbara’s home in Mobile this week to honor their loving and beloved Dad.
Jim was born in 1934 in a small frame house in Cabin John, Maryland to the late Thomas Hubert Woltz and the late Lillian Baker Woltz and enjoyed a carefree, happy childhood. Jim attended Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Maryland and graduated in 1951. His siblings include the late Joyce Woltz Thompson of Virginia and Janice Woltz Lahargoue of Colorado and a surviving brother, Alfred Hubert Woltz of Maryland. In August 1953 he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, and for the next 42 years, 3 months, and 20 days he honorably served his beloved country. Among the duty stations at which Jim served were Brooklyn, New York; Cape May, New Jersey; Groton, Connecticut; Indian River, Delaware; Elizabeth City North Carolina; Ewa Beach, Hawaii (3 tours); and finally, in Miami, Florida. It was in Miami that he served as the Command Advisor of the Seventh Coast Guard District. During the 1960’s, as a flight engineer on C-130s, Jim flew a number of missions in support of the Vietnam War. He distinguished himself by earning several awards including, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. In 1990, he was further honored being selected as the first Enlisted Ancient Albatross in the Coast Guard. This was the honor that Jim most cherished since it was the one received by just a few members of the Coast Guard. His retirement, which was presided over by the Admiral of the Coast Guard, was held on December 1, 1995 in Elizabeth City, NC. By that time Jim had attained the highest enlisted rank of Master Chief Petty Officer with a specialty of Aviation Machinist (AD). Following Jim’s retirement, he worked near his home in Safety Harbor, Florida as a Senior Tax Advisor for H&R Block Tax Services, Inc.
In 2019, Jim and Lorraine relocated for the final time from their home in Safety Harbor, Florida to be closer to their daughter in Mobile, Alabama. It was there that they were comfortably settled and joined the Brookside Christian Chapel, where they worshipped regularly with their new neighbors and friends. The family will be celebrating Jim’s life as their dearly loved husband and Dad at a virtual service, which will be live-streamed through a link to be provided later, on Saturday at 11:00 at the Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street Mobile, Alabama 36606. Eventually, Jim’s remains will be interred in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a future date. Flowers can be sent to the Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street Mobile, Alabama 36606. Alternatively, donations in Jim’s memory can be sent to Jim’s favorite charitable organization, the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
