James Fletcher

of earth to join his Lord and Savior to fly the right seat.

Jim Fletcher was born in Minneapolis, MN, on July 31st 1918, the

second eldest of five children born to Vivian and Victor Fletcher.

He attended the University of Minnesota and Mankato State,

where he earned his Bachelor’s degree, and obtained his

Master’s degree from Denver University in 1954.

Jim was a world-class athlete: an avid tennis player who won

many tournaments across the world, served as captain of the All

Air Force Tennis Team, played on the U.S. National Hockey

team that competed in the World Championships in Prague,

Czechoslovakia, in 1947, played on the All-Air Force golf team,

and won many squash, handball, and racquet ball tournaments

well into his senior years.

Like most of his contemporaries, he answered the call to defend

his country during World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps.

Before he left to fly 32 combat missions over Europe as co-pilot

in the B-17, he married Ruth Louise Manthe, his bride of 58

years until her passing in 2001.

Upon his return to the States, he continued his career in the Air

Force, completing 35 years of dedicated service. His favorite as-

signments were in Germany and England where he could travel

extensively and maintain contact with his friends in the 91st

Bomb Group.

In his later years, he spent the majority of his time traveling be-

tween Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, visiting with his

devoted daughters and families, whom he adored.

He is survived by his sister (Marjorie Morin), his three daughters

(Jamie Dee Daniels (and Spence), Mary Jane Fletcher Hermes

(and John), and Patricia Ann Mitchell (and Rusty)), and six grand-

children (Kristina Daniels, Shannon Daniels-Zuschlag (and Kail),

Holly Hermes, Justin Hermes, Courtney Mitchell, and Brett

Mitchell). He will be greatly missed by his family.

Jim was an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life, a mem-

ber of the "Greatest Generation," with a legacy of integrity,

drive, and servant-hood. Now he is Home and truly free.

A memorial service will be held on August 20th at 1pm at The