Obituary of James Imler

Name: James E. Imler Date of Death: Friday, July 27, 2007 Residence: Rome, New York Age: 92 Obituary:James E. Imler, 92, 709 Massena Ave., Rome, died on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at Rome Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 2, 1914, in Elizabethtown, KY, the son of Dr. E.V. and Grace Points Imler. He graduated high school in Hollidaysburg, PA. On November 29, 1941, he married Anne Weber in Altoona, PA. Raised on a farm in central Pennsylvania, Jim realized as a teenager that he did not want to spend the rest of his life as a farmer as most of his ancestors had. While in high school, he discovered his love of aircraft and flying. He learned from a master mechanic how to maintain and repair aircraft and as a very young man how to fly them. He turned down scholarships to prestigious universities to work at the local airport as a mechanic and to give rides to customers for 50 cents in bi-planes. James proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corp, the predecessor of the USAF, stationed in the Philippines. He began his career with the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and ended as Chief of Staff, Materiel Branch, Rome Air Development Center. Among his numerous awards from the Air Force was the award for Meritorious Civilian Service of which he was the proudest. It stated he demonstrated exceptional managerial ability in support of research, development, testing, and evaluation of major base communication and electronic systems for the Department of Defense and ensured timely and comprehensive logistic support to the programs both within the continental U.S. and overseas. One of Jim's many interests was golf. He watched the building of the course on the base and played there the first day it opened. Above all else, he truly loved his family and spending time with them, whether at one of their athletic events or at family dinners. He was employed by Griffiss Air Force Base for over thirty years, retiring in 1973. He was a member of the Elks Club and a founder of the Federal Little League. Surviving besides his wife; is one son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Christine Imler, Rome; four grandchildren, Scott and Claudia, John and Elia, Andy, and Amanda; one great-grandson, Michael; and several nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his sister, Pearl Miller, and his brother, George Imler. Funeral services will be held at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 10:00 AM. Interment at Rome Cemetery. Friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Services: Funeral services will be held at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 10:00 AM. Interment at Rome Cemetery. Friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.