Jim was fatally injured in an aircraft accident in 1958 in the course of his combat crew flight training.  He had successfully completed primary and basic flight training commencing shortly after his graduation from the Naval Academy, having earned his silver wings as an Air Force Pilot just a few months prior to the fatal accident. 

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, he was known for his outgoing personality and ready smile, as well as his athletic ability on the football field as part of Coach Erdelatz’s great teams of the 1950’s.  Jim was not married.