Obituary for James Scott Leamy
James “Jim” Leamy, of East Earl, PA, passed away surrounded by family on February 13,2023 after a long battle with a Parkinson’s variant. He was born in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA to Ann “Mary” Leamy (nee Scott) and Wilson Wright Leamy on March 16, 1945. He graduated from Conestoga High School also in Wayne.
Directly out of high school, Jim fulfilled a childhood dream and enlisted in the US Air Force. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1964 where he proudly served near Denang and Laos. During Vietnam he earned the Bronze Star amongst many other honors. After leaving Vietnam, Jim enrolled in and graduated from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Indian Head Maryland. He spent the remainder of his 30-year Air Force Career dedicated to this field that became a life passion. His early time in EOD took him across the world to assignments including Libya and Pakistan.
While stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona he met the love of his life Rebecca “Becky” Lovett. After a brief whirl wind romance, they married and set out on a lifetime of adventure. Together they spent time in Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, Utah and Washington State having two daughters, Lisa and Vicky, along the way. One of their favorite assignments as a family was their two tours in Adana, Turkey. The culmination of Jim’s career was during the Gulf War where he served with honors.
After retiring from the Air Force, Jim turned his side passion, wood working, into a second career, first as a cabinet maker but eventually as a craftsman dedicated to making tools for collectors. He was an avid collector himself, with a particular love of antique wooden planes. Additional loves included good food, fast cars and country music.
Above all else he was a dedicated family man. Jim was a fun-loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending weekends engaged in activities ranging from Roman ruin hunting to rappelling to fixing up the house and yard. He was known as a font of knowledge on subject ranging from history to electronics, home repair and general trivia. He had a wicked sense of humor and leaves behind a trove of “Jimisims” for his family to enjoy. His piercing blue eyes and sideways naughty smile will echo on in his family’s memories.
Jim is survived by a family who is devastated by his loss but in awe of our luck in knowing him as our patriarch: Rebecca his wife, Lisa Anderson (first daughter) her husband Adam Anderson, and children Sara Anderson and Reece Anderson, Vicky Leamy (second daughter) and her husband Robert Johnson and by his brother David Leamy and family.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 17, at 3:00 P.M. at the Groff High Funeral Home, 145 W. Main St., New Holland, PA. Friends may greet the family on Friday from 2:00 P.M. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either: CurePSP at 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online at psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/ (http://psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/)
OR MWTCA -General Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1817' Taylors, SC 29687-9998
Directly out of high school, Jim fulfilled a childhood dream and enlisted in the US Air Force. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1964 where he proudly served near Denang and Laos. During Vietnam he earned the Bronze Star amongst many other honors. After leaving Vietnam, Jim enrolled in and graduated from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal School at Indian Head Maryland. He spent the remainder of his 30-year Air Force Career dedicated to this field that became a life passion. His early time in EOD took him across the world to assignments including Libya and Pakistan.
While stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona he met the love of his life Rebecca “Becky” Lovett. After a brief whirl wind romance, they married and set out on a lifetime of adventure. Together they spent time in Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, Utah and Washington State having two daughters, Lisa and Vicky, along the way. One of their favorite assignments as a family was their two tours in Adana, Turkey. The culmination of Jim’s career was during the Gulf War where he served with honors.
After retiring from the Air Force, Jim turned his side passion, wood working, into a second career, first as a cabinet maker but eventually as a craftsman dedicated to making tools for collectors. He was an avid collector himself, with a particular love of antique wooden planes. Additional loves included good food, fast cars and country music.
Above all else he was a dedicated family man. Jim was a fun-loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending weekends engaged in activities ranging from Roman ruin hunting to rappelling to fixing up the house and yard. He was known as a font of knowledge on subject ranging from history to electronics, home repair and general trivia. He had a wicked sense of humor and leaves behind a trove of “Jimisims” for his family to enjoy. His piercing blue eyes and sideways naughty smile will echo on in his family’s memories.
Jim is survived by a family who is devastated by his loss but in awe of our luck in knowing him as our patriarch: Rebecca his wife, Lisa Anderson (first daughter) her husband Adam Anderson, and children Sara Anderson and Reece Anderson, Vicky Leamy (second daughter) and her husband Robert Johnson and by his brother David Leamy and family.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 17, at 3:00 P.M. at the Groff High Funeral Home, 145 W. Main St., New Holland, PA. Friends may greet the family on Friday from 2:00 P.M. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either: CurePSP at 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online at psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/ (http://psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/)
OR MWTCA -General Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1817' Taylors, SC 29687-9998