PEORIA, IL - James "Jim" Leon Fawcett, of Lacey, Wash., formerly of Peoria, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Roolan Care Center in Lacey, Wash. He was 89.
He was born on May 20, 1919, in Lincoln, Ill., and grew up in Peoria, Ill.
After graduating from Manual Training High School in 1938, he joined the United States Marine Corps and spent 24 years in that service.
He served through three wars and many bloody battles in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was the recipient of many valor decorations, including the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Retirement from the Marine Corps came in 1965, where he retired as a Major.
Jim later wrote a book entitled "Their Way.'' It was about his career in the Marines. He also won the Readers Digest Freedom Medal in the 1960s after he had written an article entitled, "What Freedom Means to Me."
The family moved to Olympia, Wash., from Bremerton, Wash., in 1965. Jim then joined the Washington State Department of Revenue, where he served faithfully for 16 years. He retired in 1981 as an Audit Supervisor.
He married Silvia Smith, also from Illinois, in 1950. They had three children. She preceded him in death in 1989. He and his second wife, Garnet, traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. She preceded him in death in 1998.
Jim Fawcett leaves his children, Master Sgt. James M. Fawcett, USMC, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Brian L. Fawcett of Lynnwood, Wash., and Claire (Fawcett) Krueger of Olympia. He also leaves four grandchildren, Justin and Kayleen Fawcett, Jamie Fawcett and Clayton Krueger.
At his request, there will be no funeral service. His remains will be cremated and will be escorted back to Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in the Pacific, where he lost so many friends and fellow Marines.
Any memorials may be donated to the Alzheimer's Association, Second Marine Division Association or charity of choice.
The family expresses its extreme gratitude to Roolan Care Center for the wonderful care and compassion they gave to our hero, a proud Marine, a loving husband, father, grandfather, a great man and friend - the man who was James L. Fawcett.
Anybody should count their blessings if they are lucky enough to have their loved one's last years be at Roolan Care Center.
Published in the Peoria Journal Star on 9/14/2008
He was born on May 20, 1919, in Lincoln, Ill., and grew up in Peoria, Ill.
After graduating from Manual Training High School in 1938, he joined the United States Marine Corps and spent 24 years in that service.
He served through three wars and many bloody battles in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was the recipient of many valor decorations, including the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Retirement from the Marine Corps came in 1965, where he retired as a Major.
Jim later wrote a book entitled "Their Way.'' It was about his career in the Marines. He also won the Readers Digest Freedom Medal in the 1960s after he had written an article entitled, "What Freedom Means to Me."
The family moved to Olympia, Wash., from Bremerton, Wash., in 1965. Jim then joined the Washington State Department of Revenue, where he served faithfully for 16 years. He retired in 1981 as an Audit Supervisor.
He married Silvia Smith, also from Illinois, in 1950. They had three children. She preceded him in death in 1989. He and his second wife, Garnet, traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. She preceded him in death in 1998.
Jim Fawcett leaves his children, Master Sgt. James M. Fawcett, USMC, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Brian L. Fawcett of Lynnwood, Wash., and Claire (Fawcett) Krueger of Olympia. He also leaves four grandchildren, Justin and Kayleen Fawcett, Jamie Fawcett and Clayton Krueger.
At his request, there will be no funeral service. His remains will be cremated and will be escorted back to Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in the Pacific, where he lost so many friends and fellow Marines.
Any memorials may be donated to the Alzheimer's Association, Second Marine Division Association or charity of choice.
The family expresses its extreme gratitude to Roolan Care Center for the wonderful care and compassion they gave to our hero, a proud Marine, a loving husband, father, grandfather, a great man and friend - the man who was James L. Fawcett.
Anybody should count their blessings if they are lucky enough to have their loved one's last years be at Roolan Care Center.
Published in the Peoria Journal Star on 9/14/2008
PEORIA, IL - James "Jim" Leon Fawcett, of Lacey, Wash., formerly of Peoria, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Roolan Care Center in Lacey, Wash. He was 89.
He was born on May 20, 1919, in Lincoln, Ill., and grew up in Peoria, Ill.
After graduating from Manual Training High School in 1938, he joined the United States Marine Corps and spent 24 years in that service.
He served through three wars and many bloody battles in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was the recipient of many valor decorations, including the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Retirement from the Marine Corps came in 1965, where he retired as a Major.
Jim later wrote a book entitled "Their Way.'' It was about his career in the Marines. He also won the Readers Digest Freedom Medal in the 1960s after he had written an article entitled, "What Freedom Means to Me."
The family moved to Olympia, Wash., from Bremerton, Wash., in 1965. Jim then joined the Washington State Department of Revenue, where he served faithfully for 16 years. He retired in 1981 as an Audit Supervisor.
He married Silvia Smith, also from Illinois, in 1950. They had three children. She preceded him in death in 1989. He and his second wife, Garnet, traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. She preceded him in death in 1998.
Jim Fawcett leaves his children, Master Sgt. James M. Fawcett, USMC, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Brian L. Fawcett of Lynnwood, Wash., and Claire (Fawcett) Krueger of Olympia. He also leaves four grandchildren, Justin and Kayleen Fawcett, Jamie Fawcett and Clayton Krueger.
At his request, there will be no funeral service. His remains will be cremated and will be escorted back to Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in the Pacific, where he lost so many friends and fellow Marines.
Any memorials may be donated to the Alzheimer's Association, Second Marine Division Association or charity of choice.
The family expresses its extreme gratitude to Roolan Care Center for the wonderful care and compassion they gave to our hero, a proud Marine, a loving husband, father, grandfather, a great man and friend - the man who was James L. Fawcett.
Anybody should count their blessings if they are lucky enough to have their loved one's last years be at Roolan Care Center.
Published in the Peoria Journal Star on 9/14/2008
He was born on May 20, 1919, in Lincoln, Ill., and grew up in Peoria, Ill.
After graduating from Manual Training High School in 1938, he joined the United States Marine Corps and spent 24 years in that service.
He served through three wars and many bloody battles in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was the recipient of many valor decorations, including the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Retirement from the Marine Corps came in 1965, where he retired as a Major.
Jim later wrote a book entitled "Their Way.'' It was about his career in the Marines. He also won the Readers Digest Freedom Medal in the 1960s after he had written an article entitled, "What Freedom Means to Me."
The family moved to Olympia, Wash., from Bremerton, Wash., in 1965. Jim then joined the Washington State Department of Revenue, where he served faithfully for 16 years. He retired in 1981 as an Audit Supervisor.
He married Silvia Smith, also from Illinois, in 1950. They had three children. She preceded him in death in 1989. He and his second wife, Garnet, traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. She preceded him in death in 1998.
Jim Fawcett leaves his children, Master Sgt. James M. Fawcett, USMC, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Brian L. Fawcett of Lynnwood, Wash., and Claire (Fawcett) Krueger of Olympia. He also leaves four grandchildren, Justin and Kayleen Fawcett, Jamie Fawcett and Clayton Krueger.
At his request, there will be no funeral service. His remains will be cremated and will be escorted back to Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in the Pacific, where he lost so many friends and fellow Marines.
Any memorials may be donated to the Alzheimer's Association, Second Marine Division Association or charity of choice.
The family expresses its extreme gratitude to Roolan Care Center for the wonderful care and compassion they gave to our hero, a proud Marine, a loving husband, father, grandfather, a great man and friend - the man who was James L. Fawcett.
Anybody should count their blessings if they are lucky enough to have their loved one's last years be at Roolan Care Center.
Published in the Peoria Journal Star on 9/14/2008
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