James Oliver Dritt

James Oliver Dritt, 93, a retired engineer and Air Force fixed wing and helicopter pilot, passed away at home in Tallahassee, Florida on January 10, 2024. The youngest of three boys, James was born to Harry Jeremiah and Helena Shedron Dritt in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 22, 1930, and raised in Lakewood, Ohio.

A highly educated man, James received his first degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1953 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He received his M.S. in industrial engineering and management from Oklahoma State University, and his Ph.D. in civil engineering and environmental science from The University of Oklahoma.

In 1959, while stationed at Charleston AFB, he met and married Ann Cormier Hunt and together, they raised four children. Determined that his children should see as much of this beautiful country as possible, James hoarded his leave time for family vacations. With Ann serving as recreation director, summers were spent visiting national parks in the western U.S. and Canada.

Retired from the Air Force in 1974, James moved his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he would spend most of his second career as an engineer working on Department of Defense contracts at Sandia National Labs. Following his last retirement, James and Ann lived briefly in Grand Lake, Colorado before moving to Florida to be closer to family.

A longtime member of Wildwood Presbyterian Church, James’s faith in Christ was of the utmost importance to him. He was the first president of the Creation Science Fellowship of New Mexico. For many years, he taught classes and workshops on the scientific evidence supporting Scripture. James loved nothing more than talking about the wonders of God’s creation.

Preceded in death by his father Harry, his mother Helena, and his brothers, Jack and Bill, James is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Ann; four children, Jennifer L. of Tallahassee, FL, James P. (Billie), of Oregonia, OH, R. Daniel (Tacy) of Omaha, NE, and Rachel A. (Tom Harrison) of Tallahassee, FL; special friend, Amanda C. Clause; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 1 P.M. in the chapel at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home & Memorial Park at 700 Timberlane Rd., Tallahassee, FL. Reception to follow.