James Demaree

James W. Demaree, known to family and friends as Jim, passed away on November 2, 2026, in Columbia, Maryland, just days after celebrating his 92nd birthday. He will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, a proud grandfather, an accomplished professional, an enthusiastic sportsman, and a man whose curiosity and love of family enriched the lives of those around him.

Jim was born on October 29, 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Mark and Ada Demaree. He grew up in Greenfield, Indiana, where he graduated from high school in 1952. As a child, he enjoyed summers working on his grandparents' farm. An accomplished athlete, Jim was the point guard on the Greenfield basketball team, quarterback of the football team, and pitcher for the baseball team. His love of sports continued at Purdue University, where he played baseball until an injury ended his playing career. He graduated from Purdue in 1953, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity.

Following graduation, Jim received a commission in the United States Air Force and became a pilot, flying both single- and multi-engine aircraft at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. He also earned his commercial pilot's license. It was in Utah that he met Joan Mathews, who would become his wife and lifelong partner. They married in Ogden, Utah, on July 31, 1959, and together raised three children: Leslie, Lisa, and Marc.

Jim began his professional career with Union Carbide Corporation, where he spent thirty years in technical sales and management positions in the Chemicals Division. His career took the family to several cities across the country, including Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; Chicago, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; Cleveland (Aurora), Ohio; Detroit (Clarkston), Michigan; and Redding, Connecticut, where they lived on two occasions. While living in Redding, Jim was also an IRS Enrolled Agent and a Certified Financial Planner. He served on the town's Finance Committee and was an active member of the Board of Directors of New Pond Farm, a nonprofit environmental education center and working farm.

Jim and Joan retired to Orleans, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod in 2005. They embraced life on the Cape, enjoying the friendships they made, time with family, and the special pleasures of living near the water. After Joan's death in 2019, Jim moved to Maryland to be near his daughter Leslie and her family. He made his home at Lutheran Village at Miller's Grant in Ellicott City, where he enjoyed a wonderful circle of friends.

Jim's love of sports and competitive spirit remained an important part of his life well beyond his college playing days. He continued to enjoy tennis, ping pong, and biking throughout much of his life. He was happiest when staying active and participating in the activities he loved.

Jim also had a deep interest in genealogy and family history. He devoted considerable time and effort to researching his family's roots and assembling an extensive and lasting family archive.

Above all, Jim was proud of his family, particularly his grandchildren, Marisa Rowlands (née Goldsmith), Benjamin Goldsmith, Eleanor "Ellie" Demaree, and Kate Demaree. He took great pride in their lives and accomplishments and treasured the time he spent with them. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joan, and daughter, Lisa, whose memories remained an important part of his life.

Jim found happiness in the friendships he made throughout his life. In Maryland, he developed a particularly close friendship with Ann Arbaugh, who brought him great happiness and joy. He also enjoyed the camaraderie of a group of friends at Miller's Grant, with whom he regularly shared Wednesday dinners and Thursday evening Scotch nights. These friendships added much to his later years.

Jim's life was marked by a love of family, a competitive spirit, an enduring curiosity, and an appreciation for good friends and good company. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Leslie Goldsmith, her husband Edward, and their children Marisa Rowlands (née Goldsmith) and Benjamin Goldsmith; his son Marc Demaree and his children Ellie Demaree and Kate Demaree; and his grandsons-in-law Jamie Rowlands and Sean Storr.

A service celebrating Jim's life will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home in Orleans, Massachusetts, on December 5, 2026. He will be laid to rest at Orleans Cemetery in Orleans, alongside Joan and Lisa. Donations may be made in his memory to New Pond Farm Education Center, 101 Marchant Road, West Redding, CT 06896, or online at www.newpondfarm.org; or to the Benevolent Care Fund at Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, c/o Nicole Papa, 9000 Fathers Legacy, Ellicott City, MD 21042 (make checks out to LVMG) or online at https://millersgrant.org/senior-living-ellicott-city-md/donate/annual-fund-campaign/.