James W. Veatch

He was born, December 1, 1918 in Campbellsville, KY. He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh A. Veatch; mother, Florence A. Veatch; and wife, Betty J. Johnson Veatch, was raised and educated in Illinois and served in the Army/Air Force during World War II.

He was proud to be a member of the Greatest Generation! During World War II, he was a member of a heavy bomber group, U.S. Air Corps, operation in the Pacific front against Japan. His Bomber Group, nicked named "The Flying Circus," was in continuous combat for over two years bombing Japanese Forces, installations and shipping routes from Australia through New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, and the Philippines to Okinawa. The Flying Circus received many commendations including two Presidential Unit Citations and one Philippine Presidential Citation. Following the war he made his career for thirty seven years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he held management positions in Corps operations in the Chicago and Pittsburgh districts and the Ohio River Division in Cincinnati. During his career, he received numerous outstanding performance awards and commendations.

He retired in 1982 and resided in Melbourne, FL, for 20 years. During retirement he and his wife travelled frequently, visited and entertained children, relatives and friends. Jim was an avid golfer and played until the age of 92.

He was preceded in death by his loving and supportive wife of 52 years, Betty J. Veatch.

He is survived by daughters, Marilyn Kruse (Wayne) of Franklin, TN, Barbara Nagaraj (Hirakita) of Louisville and Cheryl Schornak (Tom) of Cincinnati, OH; his son, Robert Veatch (Sally) of Cincinnati; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013 at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Road with internment alongside wife, Betty, in Resthaven Memorial Park's Chapel of the Last Supper.

Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Children's Hospital Foundation, Dr. Hirakita Nagaraj Chair of Pediatric Surgery, 234 East Gray St., Suite 450,Louisville, KY. 40202.