James A. Maxham, 82 of Mt. Vernon passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born on March 15, 1940, the son of John Maxham and Thea Rosenburgh in Charleston, Illinois. He married Barbara Karch on January 15, 1982, in Woodlawn, Illinois and she survives him.
James attended Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Illinois where he earned an Associate of Liberal Arts Degree.
Along with his beloved wife of 40 years, survivors that will remember Jim’s kind, sweet disposition and willingness to always help others include his children, Rhonda Edmonson and husband Aaron, from Centralia; Terri Dobbs, of Mt. Vernon; Jeffrey Johnson and wife Danielle of Brazil, IN; Richard Johnson, Jr and wife Jenny of Mt. Vernon; son Shawn and wife Barbara of Fairfield, IL; son Toby of Fairfield, IL and son Timothy of Fairfield, Illinois. Grandchildren include Alexandra, Skylan, Kayleigh, Andi, Callee, Jacob, Samatha, Annie, Seth, Jenna, Alexandria, Stephen, Chloe, and Myles. Great-grandchildren include Rachel, Evelyn, Addilee, Abbygail, Logan, Isaac, Kayden, Liam, Kailah. James is preceded in death by his parents and his brother John Maxham, Jr.
James served his country with honor for over 27 years with the United States 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army, the National Guards, and Army Reserves. James was stationed in Vietnam and Germany and he returned to Germany in 1991 to assist in the processing of American troops into Iraq. He finished his career in the Army Reserves as a Sergeant First Class E7. James participated in multiple critical operations during his time in the 101st Airborne, having been one of the squad members to parachute in on the Saigon US Embassy and taking back control of the embassy during the “Tet offensive”. James also participated in the Battle of Hamburger Hill in May of 1969 that took place on the Dong Ap Bia mountain in South Vietnam having been with the final airborne troops to take control of the mountain. An interesting component of Jim’s service in Vietnam included that of being “a tunnel rat”, which was an unofficial specialty for infantrymen whose responsibility was to clear and destroy enemy tunnel complexes. Their motto was the tongue-in-cheek Latin phrase Non-Gratus Anus Rodentum (“not worth a rat’s ass”)! James was an expert paratrooper, having made in excess of three-thousands of jumps! James was a highly decorated soldier having been honored with multiple awards and recognitions including a Bronze Star and many, many others. Jim was a skilled marksman, a sniper, and even sometimes a cook doing whatever was required of him. He was offered a Purple Heart by the Army but refused to accept the distinguished honor because he felt he had not done enough to earn it.
Jim’s military service to our country resulted in exposure to Agent Orange and extensive hearing loss due to his sustained exposure to dangerous levels of sound and ammunition that caused permanent damage to his hearing. Jim adapted throughout the years to this hearing loss by increasing the volume of his voice, and he was able to hear Barbara often yell back to him to “quit screaming Jim!”. Neighbors also were able to enjoy Jim’s television watching from apartments away!
Following his retirement from serving our country James’ occupation was that of a welder where he worked for Gary Matthews Welding Company for many years eventually owning his own welding company titled Jim’s Welding. Jim had multiple hobbies throughout his lifetime, from being a skilled line dancer to woodworking to enjoying camping with his wife and grandchildren.
Whatever the current hobby of the day was, Jim and Barbara jumped all in and gave it 100. Jim had an easy, friendly way about himself. He never met a stranger and was extremely loyal to his family and friends. Jim would help wherever he could and however he could. His greatest joy in his later years was that of grandpa. He spent much of his retirement as a chauffeur, running granddaughters to dance and tumbling classes, taking grandchildren to and from school daily and he always had a welcoming lap for a grandchild or great-grandchild to climb up on, a book to read to them, quickly followed by a sound nap by both grandpa and grandchild! Jim was an avid reader of Western books and has read hundreds if not a thousand westerns. He loved fishing and went as often as possible. To know Jim was to love him. He was a dependable, kind, lighthearted man. Jim never spoke badly of anyone, he kept most of his opinions to himself. He was an amazing husband, father, brother, and friend to many. Jim will be deeply missed for his life touched so many people, from thousands of fellow soldiers to family and friends.
Jim was a member of the Mt. Vernon Baptist Temple.
A Visitation Service will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Mount Vernon Baptist Temple in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will begin at 5:00 pm with a meal and reception to follow. Full Military rites will be held by the Mount Vernon American Legion Post #141. Following the services, James will be cremated and his ashes will remain with his wife until her passing when the two will be rejoined together and buried at Williams Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations please consider a donation to the Mt. Vernon Christian School. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
