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Capt. James L. Lovejoy - USNR - Retired
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May you be blessed with fair winds as you soar on high with the Master.
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James (Jim) Lee Lovejoy, age 70, was born in Meadville, Pa., in 1938 and passed unexpectedly on July 3, 2008 in Evergreen, Colorado.
Jim achieved much in his life. He grew up in an orphanage, having been placed there after the death of his mother. In high school Jim excelled with the trumpet and, after graduating in 1956, he joined the U.S. Navy as a seaman musician recruit. Discovering that his true talents lay elsewhere, Jim switched to the aviation branch of the Navy and became an Avionics Technician. He was selected for the Naval Aviation Cadet program and in 1961 received his gold Naval Aviator wings and was commissioned a Navy Ensign.
Jim achieved much in his life. He grew up in an orphanage, having been placed there after the death of his mother. In high school Jim excelled with the trumpet and, after graduating in 1956, he joined the U.S. Navy as a seaman musician recruit. Discovering that his true talents lay elsewhere, Jim switched to the aviation branch of the Navy and became an Avionics Technician. He was selected for the Naval Aviation Cadet program and in 1961 received his gold Naval Aviator wings and was commissioned a Navy Ensign.
Jim loved to fly. His career in the U.S. Navy paralleled his long and successful career as a pilot with United Airlines. He retired as a United Airlines Captain in 1998. After retirement, Jim and his wife, Carole, enjoyed traveling in their motor home with friends and family and traveled all over the country. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and time spent with family and friends was always extra special. Jim was an incessant "tinkerer" - always coming up with unique ways to "fix things" to his joy and, sometimes, to the frustration of his family.
He was a devoted family man, known for his kidding and playful attitude and his love for good jokes, especially irreverent ones. He was always quick to strike up a conversation with a stranger and thus cultivated friendships wherever he went.
Jim is survived by his wife, Carole Wilhelm Lovejoy; son Jeff Lovejoy and wife Sharon, and their sons, Christopher and Michael, of Kailua, Hawaii; son Steve Lovejoy and his son Austin of Bailey, Colorado; and daughter Shannon Hitchcock and husband Michael, and their children, Ashley and Cody, of Evergreen, Colorado. Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law, Nelva Consla of Arlington, Virginia.