James "Sarge" Kenneth Colford
May 10, 1931 ~ January 9, 2015
SERVICES: 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015 at the Edinburgh Apostolic Tabernacle located at 701 S. Main St. Edinburgh, IN. OFFICIATING: Rev. Mark Myers. VISITATION: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Church. FINAL RESTING PLACE: Rest Haven Cemetery, Edinburgh, IN. Military rites will be performed by the Military Department of Indiana Ceremonial Unit. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Edinburgh Apostolic Tabernacle Church Bus Ministry for Children. James Kenneth Colford, 83, of Newton Drive, Edinburgh, IN, passed away at 6:25 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2015, at home with his loving family at his side. Jim was born May 10, 1931 in White County, Indiana, the son of Thomas Jerome and Minnie A. (Ewing) Colford. He married E. Jean Greathouse May 25, 1951. Known to many as "Sarge," Jim Colford served his country for 40 years, 2 months and 10 days in the National Guard, finally retiring in 1991 as a Master Sergeant. Jim loved the Guards and his fellow co-workers, serving full time as a mechanic and supervisor at headquarters mess hall at Stout Field in Indianapolis. Jim had the opportunity to mentor and be a supervisor to a future vice president, Dan Quail. He participated several years in the Indianapolis 500 festivities by driving owners and race car drivers during the 500. During his high school years, Jim was an outstanding basketball player, playing varsity. He lettered all four years in basketball, baseball and fastpitch softball. His greatest pleasure was being involved in the annual deer hunt at Camp Atterbury, which he participated in for 47 years and he was a member of the Atterbury Sportsman Club. He loved to hunt mushrooms. Family was very important to Jim. He enjoyed holidays and all family birthdays. Jim was an excellent cook and never met a stranger. Survivors include his wife; sons, Michael (Phyllis) Colford of Edinburgh, Bill (Cheryl) Colford of Columbus and Jeff (Kelly) Colford of Indianapolis; a daughter, Christy (Jeff) Giles of Richardson, Texas; grandsons, Graham Giles of Texas and Caden Colford of Indianapolis; granddaughters, Angela (Jon) Levine of Indianapolis, Julie (Chris) Hanahan of San Diego, California, Angela Szewczak of Columbus, Indiana, and Melissa Britton of Columbus, Indiana; great-granddaughters, Autumn Perry, Kaylee McCarty and Kourtney and Kaity Szewczak; great-great-grandchildren, Charli Levine, McKenzie, Mia and Kobe Perry. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.
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Mike, Jeff, & Billy, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He was a great man and will be missed by many. He touched a lot of lives positively over the years and his passing leaves many hearts saddened. I’m just glad I got to experience a few happy days getting to know him just a little bit at some of the deer hunts and wild game dinners. My prayers and thoughts are with the three of you, your Mother, and the rest of your family these next few days.
Heaven has truly gained an angel. Uncle Jim (Sarge) now has Gods wings and he will b greatly missed by many friends and family. He truly was a hero who loved life and his family so very much. Uncle Jim was also greatly loved by all who were blessed to know his handsome, smiling face. Our hearts hurt for you Aunt Jeanie, Billy, Mike, Christy & Jeff as you say goodbye to your loving husband and awesome father. Sending you our thoughts, prayers & hugs. God speed Uncle Jim-we love you.
My condolence to the family. I am Bill Comerford;s daughter and remember Jimmy coming to our house on Morris St. when I was a young girl. With his pretty blond hair and rosey red cheeks my dad always said he looked like he had just been scrubbed with a scrub brush. Prayers being said for his family.
One of my all-time favorite soldiers. Jimmy was one of a kind. We will miss him greatly.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord give you comfort and strength for the days ahead. In Love and Sympathy, Darell, Becky wade & Joanne Thompson
Thanks Jim for being my friend. You were an outstanding NCO and a true American! May you RIP.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jim was an awesome man and will be missed by many. Love to you Christy and Jean and all your family members. Love Karen and Daren and family.
Dear Christy and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories of your dad that they may bring comfort to your heart. We are thinking of your family and praying for God to comfort each of you. With our deepest sympathy and love, Brian and Lisa Darrow
Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Jim was my Mess Sergeant while I was the detachment commander at MDI in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I always enjoyed working with Jimmy, especially during summer camps at Grayling when we put on “Special” feeds for the AG and his VIP guests. He was always a stickler for the details. Later I had the opportunity to work with Jimmy again when I was with the Provost Marshal Office and HQ at Camp Atterbury. He was a good man and created many good memories for me. He will be missed.