Colonel James B. Archer (USAF, Retired) died Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Jim was born Feb 14, 1931 in Imogene, Iowa to Ralph Albert and Marcella Rose (O’Dowd) Archer. Jim was raised in Iowa and Oregon, and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps (later U.S. Air Force) as a cryptologist. Upon completion of his enlisted service, he attended and graduated from the University of Oregon. Jim then rejoined the USAF and continued his distinguished and highly decorated military career. In June 1957, while still attending Officer Candidate School in another state, Jim was allowed a one-weekend leave to travel by train to Shenandoah, Iowa, for his marriage to Shirley Lou Hanzlick. While they could not honeymoon immediately, he and his new soul mate shared fifty beautiful years together blessed with great faith, exotic travel assignments, the deepest love, and countless friendships. Shirley died in late 2006 following her own extended battle with cancer. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley, and his siblings Ralph, Thomas, and Helen (Kidd). Survivors include: siblings Richard, John, Philip, David, and Mary Annette (Burch); son James B. Jr. of Golden, Colorado, his wife Gail, and their children James B. III and Samantha L.; son Joseph R. of Denham Springs, Louisiana, his wife Janine, and their children Alexis N. and Ainsley N.; son Steven T. of Dallas, Texas, his wife Audra, and their children Rylan T. and Benjamin D.; Shirley’s sister, Cecilia Denise Morrison and husband Stephen of Omaha Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews. The family will greet friends at 7:00 pm, Monday, March 14, 2011 at a Vigil Service to be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 Spring Creek Pkwy (at Roundrock Tr.), Plano, TX 75023. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 15, 2011 also at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Henry Petter, Celebrant. Jim will be laid to rest next to his wife Shirley at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA with full Honor Guard. The family will be available to visit with friends immediately following the Funeral Mass at a reception in the Seton Parish Center. If desired, memorials may be made in Jim’s name to The Shirley Archer Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75023. Please make check payable to Elizabeth Seton Parish. The family would also like to thank the numerous Doctors (especially Dr. B), Healthcare Practitioners, and all those who supported Jim over the years – we have many more wonderful memories of him due to your efforts. Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.
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