I’m so sorry to see that Jim has passed . As a young teenager I wore his name as a pow on my wrist for years . I always think of him , as I just was and saw he passed away . I’m fortunate I looked him up I believe in 2017 and we talked on the phone a while  ,  sharing we had a west coast Florida   connection .  I thanked him for his courage and service . My condolences to his family . Debbie K . Palm Harbor

I will never forget you 😉.God Bless you in  Haven.🙏🙏🙏🎆🎆🎆🪅💗🥰I will   always love you.❤️❤️❤️💞💖🙏🎆🎆Teri Lynn Dean.

JIM
THIS MOSTLY A THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I RECIENTLY WAS SHOPPING IN A GOODWILL IN KANSAS AND FOUND A COPPER POW BRACELET WITH YOUR NAME AND CAPTURE DATE.  THIS IN PLACE FOR AN ITEM LIKE THIS, I RESCUED IT. FINDING YOUR NAME AND HISTORY WAS A REAL PRIVILAGE.  YOU INFACT A HERO THANK YOU FOR FOR YOUR SEVICE AND SACRIFICE. I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO RETURN THIS TO YOU FAMILY IF CONTACTED.
DUTY HONOR COUNTRY GOD BLESS THE USA
WHITEHATGUY44@YAHOO.COM

I found a copper bracelet with the inscription “Maj. James Padgett 5-11-72” in my father’s belonging after he passed away.   After some research I figured out it was a POW bracelet for Lt. Col. Padgett!  I was happy to read he made it back home.  My father was a retired  USAF Lt Col too!   I just wanted to extend my wishes to the Padgett family and let them know that my father had kept this bracelet his entire life (must have been special to him).  

Hi I live in Paducah Ky. I bought a POW bracelet as a teen. I have had it still today. It was for Major James Padgett. I wanted to reach out but did not know how to find him. I am sorry that I am too late, but wanted his family to know my prayers were with him and it was important to me that still today I have the bracelet I purchased thinking of him. Just hope this reaches his family. Gods blessings, Carol 

YGBSM. What a great loss. I consider myself very lucky to have met and talked with Padge in September 2017 when he and several other Wild Weasels from his era joined some of the current crop of Weasels at Nellis AFB. It was an amazing treat that I will never forget. His courage and patriotism were impressive and I'm sure he was an inspiration to more than just me. He is missed even by those that barely knew him. Nickel on the grass... WW# 2787

GBU Padg....we first met at the Zoo POW Camp in Hanoi, Vietnam and served together at George AFB, CA where we became good friends.  Your unselfish nature and willingness to help others is an enduring memory.  It was my blessing to have you in my life....GBU, Cave Putorium, and Check Six!  Tom

Grace, Wendy and I offer our sincere condolences for the loss of Jim.  I will always remember Jim as a great aviator and true friend.  Wendy remembers Jim as a true southern gentleman.  He will be truly missed.  We send our prayers and best wishes to you and your family.  

Grace, Ed and I want to express our deepest sympathy. Our time together at George and at reunions was always a joy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

My father, Raymond Greene and James Padgett flew together for several years, and in Viet Nam.  My dad and I wore his POW bracelet. I still have them both.  Sending your family much love.

I was assigned to the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron in Thailand and arrived there a few months after Jim was shot down.  I finally met him and his wife, Grace, what a nice lady, when I was assigned to Nellis AFB after Thailand.  He impressed me with his knowledge of electronic warfare systems and tactics.  Throughout the next 20 years or so our paths often crossed.  He was always working on some type of new system or tactic that was important.  I am sorry that I was not able to actually work a project with him.  He always had some great ideas.  I am sorry that he is gone.

I will remember his family and him in my prayers.  

I looked James up in the Wild Weasel directory when my squadron was at Nellis late 2017. He came and talked to the pilots at Boyd Hall. He was gracious enough to give us a painting of an F-105 with a placard stating it came from a Thai air base in Vietnam. It now hangs outside the bar at the 179th Fighter Squadron in Duluth, MN. This unit proudly serves the Wild Weasel roll flying F-16 block 50's. Rest in Peace James.

I am saddened by Jim's passing.  I knew him in the war and later at Nellis AFB and then at George AFB.  Always a really good soldier and one of the nicest men I have ever known.  My memory of him will always bring a smile.

Dear Grace, Steph, Jackie, James and Kathy
We are so very sorry for your loss. 
Jim was such a unique individual. His sense of humor always tickled me when I visited with him at family functions. He loved his wife and family with all of his heart and always took care of them all. 
His chickens, dogs and cats are gonna miss him too. (Even Steph's turtles)
I'm grateful  that I got the opportunity to make him sweet tea when he came to family functions at my house.  
I'm positive he is in heaven catching up with old friends and family and watching over all  of us. 
Hugs and kisses to you all, Aunt Di and Uncle Larry

Jim was a very handsome guy.  He dated my sister and he also owned a motorcycle.  Yes I got to go for motorcycle rides occasionally.
It was heartbreaking when we heard that he was taken as POW.  Prayers were answered when he returned to USA.  Lots of fond fun memories.
RIP Jim Padgett.

Jim Padgett was a very courageous and honorable man. In 1967 he flew 100 Missions over North Vietnam in an F-105 aircraft as the "Bear", the back seater, who operated the ECM gear, (electronic counter measure).  Being the brave man that he was, he deployed back to Thailand in 1972 with an F-105 squadron. Unfortunately during this particular tour, he and his pilot were shot down and he spent the remainder of the Vietnam War as a POW in Hanoi. I had the pleasure of working with Jim Padgett and he was a true gentleman. My condolences go out to his entire family. 

I will remember Mr Padgett would include me sometimes on their family vacations. I remember one time either going to or coming home from camp Pendleton he came across something in the on ramp of the highway. He jumped out to pick it up, as Stephanie said he was always doing, and it turned out to be a box of army tank tracks. 
I also remember when he got the Oscar fish and showed us how it would jump out of the water for a treat (a guppy or small goldfish). I mainly remember and can hear his voice now saying one of his kids or Graces' names. I'll always remember how welcoming he was to me and how I think of him as a second father. He'll always be a part of my heart.

OBITUARY

James Phillip Padgett

May 30, 1932 – August 16, 2019

Palm Cheyenne Mortuary

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